Avoiding Errors in Radiology: Case-Based Analysis of Causes and Preventive Strategies

by Klaus-Juergen Lackner, Kathrin Barbara Krug

Overview

In Avoiding Errors in Radiology: Case-Based Analysis of Causes and Preventive Strategies, the authors provide 118 real-life examples of interpretation errors and wrong decisions from both diagnostic and interventional radiology. In each case, the authors discuss in detail the context in which the errors were made, the resulting complications, and strategies for future prevention. The cases are organized by body region, beginning with the cranium and then moving to cases of the breast, chest and abdomen, spinal column, musculoskeletal and vascular systems.

Features:

• 118 case studies facilitate analysis and discussion of causes of errors and offer preventive strategies to transfer into daily practice
• 956 high-quality images and explanatory drawings illustrate the cases and pinpoint errors of interpretation and in decision making

Avoiding Errors in Radiology is a must-have reference for anyone involved in interpreting images for diagnosis and in making decisions in interventional radiology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783131644114
Publisher:	Thieme
Publication date:	03/09/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	408
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Professor Emeritus, Institute for Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Professor, Institute for Diagnostic Radiology, University Hopsital Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Table of Contents

1 Cranium
2 Chest
3 Breast
4 Abdomen
- Liver, Pancreas, Peritoneum
- Gastrointestinal Tract
- Urogenital Tract
5 Spinal Column
6 Musculoskeletal System
7 Vascular System

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Dana Smetherman, MD (Ochsner Clinic Foundation)
Description: This is an atlas of cases that demonstrates errors in interpretation of imaging studies and details strategies to help radiologists avoid making the same mistakes in their own practices.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide real-world instances of errors in diagnostic radiology in order to prevent other radiologists from making similar mistakes. It also provides a framework and approach that radiologists can use to identify, evaluate, and remediate errors in their practices.
Audience: Although not specified, the intended audience is radiologists in practice. The authors are credible authorities in this area.
Features: The book divides the specialty of radiology into organ systems and, devoting a chapter to each, provides multiple examples of errors in interpretation and how they could have been prevented. It includes cases where a subtle abnormality was not identified, where the findings were mistakenly interpreted as arising from the incorrect organ or pathological entity, and where the imaging performed was inappropriate to the clinical situation. The greatest strength of the book is the wealth of examples. The "error analysis and strategy for error prevention" at the end of each case also is very useful. As discussed in the forewords and preface, medical errors are unavoidable. Nonetheless, it is incumbent upon the medical profession to learn from its mistakes, no matter how uncomfortable this process may be. The preface also points out that current quality assurance programs are often inadequate to correct the important errors. This book provides both material from which to learn and a framework for evaluating one's own mistakes. Unintentionally, the book makes its own point about the inevitability of errors. At the end of chapter 1 (cranium), there are images and text from an abdominal CT demonstrating abnormalities of the ascending colon. There are also some mislabeled images in the section on breast imaging (chapter 3).
Assessment: Overall, this is a valuable addition to the current literature on this topic. In addition to providing a wealth of cases from which to learn about subtle but critical findings that are easily missed and the consequences of failing to identify the correct diagnosis, it sets a good example for how radiology practices should review their own errors and improve their performance.

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