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Open Access 01-09-2007 | Research Article

Observer Variation of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-Glucose-Positron Emission Tomography in Mediastinal Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as a Function of Experience, and its Potential Clinical Impact

Authors: Sietske A. Smulders, Chad M. Gundy, Arthur van Lingen, Emile F. Comans, Frank W J M Smeenk, Otto S. Hoekstra, The Study Group of Clinical PET

Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology | Issue 5/2007

Abstract

Purpose

To test the extent of variation among nuclear medicine physicians with respect to staging non-small cell lung cancer with positron emission tomography (PET).

Procedures

Two groups of nuclear medicine physicians with different levels of PET experience reviewed 30 PET scans. They were requested to identify and localize suspicious mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) using standardized algorithms. Results were compared between the two groups, between individuals, and with expert reading.

Results

Overall we found good interobserver agreement (kappa 0.65). Experience with PET translated into a better ability to localize MLN stations (68% vs. 51%, respectively), and experienced readers appeared to be more familiar with translating PET readings into clinically useful statements.

Conclusions

Although our results suggest that clinical experience with PET increases observers’ ability to read and interpret results from PET adequately, there is room for improvement. Experience with PET does not necessarily improve the accuracy of image interpretation.

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Title: Observer Variation of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-Glucose-Positron Emission Tomography in Mediastinal Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as a Function of Experience, and its Potential Clinical Impact
Authors: Sietske A. Smulders
Chad M. Gundy
Arthur van Lingen
Emile F. Comans
Frank W J M Smeenk
Otto S. Hoekstra
The Study Group of Clinical PET
Publication date: 01-09-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology / Issue 5/2007
Print ISSN: 1536-1632
Electronic ISSN: 1860-2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-007-0108-1

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Observer Variation of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-Glucose-Positron Emission Tomography in Mediastinal Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as a Function of Experience, and its Potential Clinical Impact

Abstract

Purpose

Procedures

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Procedures

Results

Conclusions

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