Structured reporting of brain MRI following mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients

Sebastian Mönch,Kathleen Bernkopf,Dennis M Hedderich,Tiberiu Andrisan,Benno Ikenberg,Claus Zimmer,Benjamin Friedrich

doi:10.1186/s12880-021-00621-4

Sebastian Mönch, Kathleen Bernkopf + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-021-00621-4

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Abstract

BackgroundTo compare the quality of free-text reports (FTR) and structured reports (SR) of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in patients following mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke treatment.MethodsA template for SR of brain MRI examinations based on decision trees was designed and developed in house and applied to twenty patients with acute ischemic stroke in addition to FTR. Two experienced stroke neurologists independently evaluated the quality of FTR and SR regarding clarity, content, presence of key features, information extraction, and overall report quality. The statistical analysis for the differences between FTR and SR was performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or the Chi-squared test.ResultsClarity (p < 0.001), comprehensibility (p < 0.001), inclusion of relevant findings (p = 0.016), structure (p = 0.005), and satisfaction with the content of the report for immediate patient management (p < 0.001) were evaluated significantly superior for the SR by both neurologist raters. One rater additionally found the explanation of the patient’s clinical symptoms (p = 0.003), completeness (p < 0.009) and length (p < 0.001) of SR to be significantly superior compared to FTR and stated that there remained no open questions, requiring further consultation of the radiologist (p < 0.001). Both neurologists preferred SR over FTR.ConclusionsThe use of SR for brain magnetic resonance imaging may increase the report quality and satisfaction of the referring physicians in acute ischemic stroke patients following mechanical thrombectomy.Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

Highlights

To compare the quality of free-text reports (FTR) and structured reports (SR) of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in patients following mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke treatment
In this study, a total of 40 pseudonymized reports, 20 FTRs and 20 corresponding SRs, of 20 patients with acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) who had received an MRI of the brain three to five days after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) were included in the present study (Table 2)
The satisfaction with the content in regard to completeness of information necessary for immediate subsequent patient management (p < 0.001) and the explanation of the Magnetic resonance (MR) images were evaluated significantly higher for the SR by both raters (p = 0.020)

Summary

Introduction

To compare the quality of free-text reports (FTR) and structured reports (SR) of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in patients following mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke treatment. (MRI) of the brain is a mainstay in neuroradiological practice and is essential for the assessment of stroke. SR of brain MRI examinations where shown to increase the rate of included disease-relevant findings in Multiple Sclerosis patients and were preferred by clinicians [10]. As stated above, detailed and clear descriptions of affected brain regions are of high clinical interest in subacute stroke patients. We hypothesized that SR would be favorable over FTR in patients after MT. We addressed this question in a single-center, retrospective study

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