Comparison of the clinical usefulness of structured and free-text reports for interpretation of jaw lesions on cone beam computed tomography images

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the clinical usefulness of structured reports (SRs) and free-text reports (FTRs) of lesions depicted on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from the perspectives of report providers and receivers.

Study design: In total, 36 CBCT images of jaw lesions obtained between February 2020 and August 2020 were evaluated. A working group of 3 oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMRs) established a reporting system and prepared reports. Evaluation group I (2 OMRs) wrote SRs and FTRs for each case and assessed the reporting process for the criteria of convenience and organization. Evaluation group II (3 general practitioners [GPs] and 3 oral and maxillofacial surgeons [OMSs]) assessed the reports for the criteria of productivity, consistency, and organization. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess the usefulness of each report. Scores were statistically compared according to report type with the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results: The SRs scored significantly higher for all criteria as assessed by evaluation group I and the GPs of group II (P < .001). The FTRs scored significantly higher for productivity and organization as assessed by the OMSs of group II (P = .005 for both criteria).

Conclusions: The clinical usefulness of reports may differ according to roles of the report recipients in diagnosis and treatment.