Advancements in Standardizing Radiological Reports: A Comprehensive Review
Filippo Pesapane, Priyan Tantrige, P. De Marco, Serena Carriero, Fabio Zugni, Luca Nicosia, Anna Carla Bozzini, Anna Rotili, Antuono Latronico, Francesca Abbate, Daniela Origgi, Sonia Santicchia, Giuseppe Petralia, Gianpaolo Carrafiello, Enrico Cassano
Abstract
Standardized radiological reports stimulate debate in the medical imaging field. This review paper explores the advantages and challenges of standardized reporting. Standardized reporting can offer improved clarity and efficiency of communication among radiologists and the multidisciplinary team. However, challenges include limited flexibility, initially increased time and effort, and potential user experience issues. The efforts toward standardization are examined, encompassing the establishment of reporting templates, use of common imaging lexicons, and integration of clinical decision support tools. Recent technological advancements, including multimedia-enhanced reporting and AI-driven solutions, are discussed for their potential to improve the standardization process. Organizations such as the ACR, ESUR, RSNA, and ESR have developed standardized reporting systems, templates, and platforms to promote uniformity and collaboration. However, challenges remain in terms of workflow adjustments, language and format variability, and the need for validation. The review concludes by presenting a set of ten essential rules for creating standardized radiology reports, emphasizing clarity, consistency, and adherence to structured formats.