Diagnostic errors when interpreting abdominopelvic computed tomography: a pictorial review

Br J Radiol. 2017 May;90(1073):20160928. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20160928. Epub 2017 Mar 31.

Abstract

Diagnostic errors remain an inevitable occurrence during abdominopelvic CT (APCT) interpretation, despite advances in imaging technology. The main cause of error is failure to identify a lesion (i.e. perceptual error) and failure to recognize a finding's significance (i.e. interpretive or cognitive error). Awareness and understanding of the causes of errors can reduce their occurrence and may lead to a reduction in morbidity and mortality. This pictorial essay highlights various causes of error in interpreting APCT scans and briefly discusses possible solutions for minimizing these errors.

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Humans
  • Pelvis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*