The meaning of a nonspecific abdominal gas pattern

Academic Radiology
N H Patel, P R Lauber

Abstract

The radiology report is the primary means of communication between the radiologist and the referring physician. A lack of precision in this report may adversely affect patient care. We examined how radiologists would define "nonspecific abdominal gas pattern" and how referring physicians would perceive the meaning. A questionnaire was distributed to radiologists and referring physicians in Flint, Michigan. They were asked to categorize their definition or interpretation, respectively, of "nonspecific abdominal gas pattern" into "normal"; "either normal or abnormal"; or "abnormal, representing either mechanical obstruction or adynamic ileus." Thirty-three radiologists responded, 23 (69.7%) of whom used the term. One hundred fifty-seven referring physicians responded, 127 of whom assigned a specific definition to the term. Using a 2 x 3 chi-square test (df = 2), we found a statistically significant difference (p < .03) between the distribution of the meaning of the term between radiologists and their referring physicians. The term "nonspecific abdominal gas pattern" should be abandoned because it may signify a normal condition or a pathologic state. We found the definition to be dichotomous and asynchronous between radiologists a...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 24, 2003·AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology·Fergus V CoakleyDavid M Panicek
Oct 12, 2010·Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology·Caroline L Hollingsworth, Henry E Rice
Nov 16, 2016·Pediatric Surgery International·Karolina MarkietAgnieszka Bianek-Bodzak

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