Learning objectives
Over time, radiologists develop a feeling for what kinds of imaging structures are normal. Anyhow, it can be difficult also for experienced radiologists to determine whether anatomical structures are… - …normal - …anatomical variations, or - …pathological regarding their size and common properties. As a consequence, you often get an inconclusive and unstructured report that is trying to go around a definite conclusion. A quick access to normal values might be the solution.
Background
We consider it essential to have a reference database accessible whilst writing reports in order to clearly identify whether a finding is normal, a variation or pathological. Neither comprehensive literature search, nor public internet or databases like PubMed / MEDLINE could offer complete papers addressing standard values. Moreover, it is often not distinguished whether the given value can be used for all imaging modalities or whether it is specific for ultrasound, CT, MRI or conventional X-ray. Most papers and public web pages only discussed individual...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
Our web version www.normalvalues.net is based on „iQ-ANATOMY“. iQ-ANATOMY is a multi-module database based on PostgreSQL that was developed by our department to structure the whole anatomy by topographical and functional criteria for its further use in structured reporting. The access to the web version is free and available without previous registration. The web version can search the iQ-ANATOMY database for anatomical patterns structured by region or functionality as well as regions based on CT/MRI and US examinations. The user-friendly search criteria make it easy...
Conclusion
By using the web database we improve the quality of radiology reports and assist radiologists in providing more definite findings and conclusions. We could not prove so far whether also the clinical consequence changed due to this way of reporting. However, we could show that the acceptance of the reports improved as statements were more often consequent.
Personal Information
Professor Jörg Barkhausen is head of the department of radiology and nuclear medicine at the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck in northern Germany. CAD solutions and computer modalities for structured reporting are among the main research activities. Martin Simon, MD and Julia Klüter, MD are joining the CAD research group under the supervision of Arpad Bischof, MD. Kathrin Ziehe studied computer science at the University of Rostock and is specialised in creating medical databases, she joint the "IQ-Anatomy" project.