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Emergency Radiology

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01-04-2017 | Original Article

Inter-rater agreement between trained emergency medicine residents and radiologists in the examination of gallbladder and common bile duct by ultrasonography

Authors: Javad Seyedhosseini, Azade Nasrelari, Narges Mohammadrezaei, Ehsan Karimialavijeh

Published in: Emergency Radiology | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Study objectives

Bedside emergency ultrasonograAmerican Society of Emergency Radiologyphy is a rapid diagnostic tool in the emergency department (ED). Nevertheless, the learning curve for ultrasound (US) training in various indications has to date not been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to assess how much a short specialized training program in hepatobiliary US might impact the skills of novice emergency medicine residents.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study conducted at a university-affiliated ED from May 2014 to January 2015. Adult patients who had right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain were included. Prior to enrolling patients, seven residents voluntarily passed a 10-h hepatobiliary US training course; they also carried out 20 hands-on US examinations. To compare the results, three board-certified radiologists performed another US examination blindly. The degree of agreement between the two groups was calculated.

Results

A total of 200 individuals enrolled, among whom 106 (53%) were males and 53 (47%) were females. Mean ± SD age was 50.21 ± 22.06 years. There was a moderate to perfect level of agreement between emergency medicine residents and radiologists in terms of the presence of a gallstone (Cohen’s kappa = 0.85), sonographic Murphy sign (Cohen’s kappa = 0.95), gallbladder wall thickening (Cohen kappa = 0.75), and common bile duct (CBD) dilation (Cohen’s kappa = 0.79).

Conclusion

Novice emergency medicine residents attained a moderate to perfect degree of agreement with expert radiologists in detecting gallstone presence, thick gallbladder wall, sonographic Murphy sign, and CBD dilation in standard patients, after participating in a specific US course.

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Title: Inter-rater agreement between trained emergency medicine residents and radiologists in the examination of gallbladder and common bile duct by ultrasonography
Authors: Javad Seyedhosseini
Azade Nasrelari
Narges Mohammadrezaei
Ehsan Karimialavijeh
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Emergency Radiology / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 1070-3004
Electronic ISSN: 1438-1435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-016-1468-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Inter-rater agreement between trained emergency medicine residents and radiologists in the examination of gallbladder and common bile duct by ultrasonography

Abstract

Study objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Study objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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