Structured MRI reporting increases completeness of radiological reports and requesting physicians' satisfaction in the diagnostic workup for pelvic endometriosis.

PURPOSE

MRI plays an important role in the diagnosis and surgical planning of pelvic endometriosis (PE), and imaging reports should contain all relevant information (completeness). As structured reports are being increasingly utilized, we aimed to evaluate whether structured MRI reporting increases the quality of reports regarding completeness and, consequently, their perceived value by gynecologists, in comparison to free-text reports. We also aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of both formats.

METHODS

We retrospectively included 28 consecutive women with histologically proven PE who underwent MRI within one month before surgery. Two abdominal radiologists (Rd1/Rd2, 3y/12y experience), blinded to clinical and surgical data, individually elaborated free-text reports and, four months later, structured reports. Completeness (defined as description of six key anatomical sites deemed essential for surgical planning in a consensus of four-blinded external experts) and diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) by site (histology as reference) were compared between reports using the McNemar test. The satisfaction of gynecologists was compared using the marginal homogeneity test.

RESULTS

Structured reporting increased completeness for both Rd1 (rectosigmoid, retrocervical/uterosacral ligament, vagina, and ureter) and Rd2 (vagina, ureter, and bladder) (p < 0.05), without compromising sensitivity or specificity at any of the evaluated sites. Gynecologists' satisfaction was superior with structured reports in most comparisons.

CONCLUSION

Structured MRI reports perform better in fully documenting essential features of PE and are similar in terms of diagnostic performance, therefore having higher potential for surgical planning. Gynecologists found them easier to assess and were more satisfied with the information provided by structured reports.