The ability of emergency physicians to diagnose and score acute pancreatitis on computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the ability of emergency physicians' (EP) interpreting contrast-enhanced computed tomographies (CECTs) performed in patients diagnosed or suspected acute pancreatitis (AP), using the modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) scoring system.

METHODS: This study was conducted in Training and Research Hospital's Emergency Department. From January 1, 2013 to April 30, 2016, patients whom performed CECT within 24 h of admission with diagnosis or suspicion of AP were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred eighteen patients were included in the study. Three-third-year EPs received education about CECT interpretation and MCTSI criteria. Each EP interpreted CECTs in a blinded manner. The EPs' performance of determining the CECTs with or without AP and scoring the CECTs with CTSI scoring system was investigated.

RESULTS: The agreement (weighted kappa) between the EPs and the radiologists for determining CECTs positive for AP was 0.932 (p < 0.001), 0.864 (p < 0.001) and 0.949 (p < 0.001) for EP1, EP2 and EP3, respectively. The agreement for MCTSI scores was 0.649 (p < 0.001), 0.588 (p < 0.001) and 0.734 (p < 0.001). These values showed a significant relationship between the EPs and radiologists.

CONCLUSIONS: EPs can diagnose the AP on CECTs and score CECTs with MCTSI scoring system correctly.