Structured vs narrative reporting of pelvic MRI for fibroids: clarity and impact on treatment planning.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clarity and usefulness of MRI reporting of uterine fibroids using a structured disease-specific template vs. narrative reporting for planning of fibroid treatment by gynaecologists and interventional radiologists.

METHODS: This is a HIPAA-compliant, IRB-approved study with waiver of informed consent. A structured reporting template for fibroid MRIs was developed in collaboration between gynaecologists, interventional and diagnostic radiologists. The study population included 29 consecutive women who underwent myomectomy for fibroids and pelvic MRI prior to implementation of structured reporting, and 42 consecutive women with MRI after implementation of structured reporting. Subjective evaluation (on a scale of 1-10, 0 not helpful; 10 extremely helpful) and objective evaluation for the presence of 19 key features were performed.

RESULTS: More key features were absent in the narrative reports 7.3 ± 2.5 (range 3-12) than in structured reports 1.2 ± 1.5 (range 1-7), (p < 0.0001). Compared to narrative reports, gynaecologists and radiologists deemed structured reports both more helpful for surgical planning (p < 0.0001) (gynaecologists: 8.5 ± 1.2 vs. 5.7 ± 2.2; radiologists: 9.6 ± 0.6 vs. 6.0 ± 2.9) and easier to understand (p < 0.0001) (gynaecologists: 8.9 ± 1.1 vs. 5.8 ± 1.9; radiologists: 9.4 ± 1.3 vs. 6.3 ± 1.8).

CONCLUSION: Structured fibroid MRI reports miss fewer key features than narrative reports. Moreover, structured reports were described as more helpful for treatment planning and easier to understand.

KEY POINTS: • Structured reports missed only 1.2 ± 1.5 out of 19 key features, as compared to narrative reports that missed 7.3 ± 2.5 key features for planning of fibroid treatment. • Structured reports were more helpful and easier to understand by clinicians. • Structured template can provide essential information for fibroids treatment planning.