Accuracy of digital imaging interpretation on an 1K × 1K PC-based workstation in the emergency department

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of interpretation of digital radiographs on 1K × 1K PC-based workstations and compare it to that of 2K × 2K workstations in our filmless emergency department. We reviewed 1013 studies, of which 404 were chest, 133 abdominal, and 476 musculoskeletal. All studies were interpreted prospectively on the 1K × 1K workstation, and the findings were compared to those on the 2K × 2K diagnostic workstation which served as the control. Among all the studies performed, 515 were negative (255 chest, 91 abdominal, and 169 musculoskeletal). Another 498 had positive findings (149 chest, 42 abdominal, and 307 musculoskeletal). When the cases were reviewed on the 1K × 1K monitor, the diagnosis was missed in 5 of the 149 positive chest cases (3.35 %), in 5 of the 307 positive musculoskeletal cases (1.63 %), and in none of the 42 positive abdominal cases (0 %). In total, we misinterpreted 10 of the 498 positive cases (2.01 %). The miss rate of the 1K × 1K clinicians' review station is low and acceptable for its stated purpose. However, we doubt that it can be used for primary diagnostic purposes.