Abstract
Purpose: We evaluated the accuracy of image interpretation by physicians depending on their experience in image reading using the "Categorized Criteria for X-Ray Image Reading of the Population-Based Gastric Cancer Screening" of the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening.
Subjects and Methods: Twelve gastroenterologists involved in the interpretation of X-ray images in gastric cancer screening participated in the study. They mean number of years of experience in interpreting gastric X-ray images was 13.3±10.1 (range, 1-30; median, 10.5). They were requested to categorize gastric X-ray images presented randomly from 20 malignant and 20 non-malignant cases that were endoscopically confirmed after abnormalities were noted on gastric X-ray screening.
Results: For the correlation between experience in and accuracy of interpretation of gastric X-ray images, R values of the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, early cancer sensitivity, and advanced cancer sensitivity were 0.642 (Y = 0.556+0.011X, P < 0.05), 0.613 (Y = 0.383+0.012X, P < 0.05), 0.00364 (Y = 0.711+0.00007X, P = 0.991), 0.496 (Y = 0.366+0.017X, P < 0.01), and 0.776 (Y = 0.387+0.022X, P < 0.01), respectively.
Conclusion: Adequate experience is required for the accurate interpretation of X-ray images in gastric cancer screening. In addition, a long-term, well-designed education and training system is necessary to train radiologists.
