영상의학의 오류와 불일치는 불가피한 것인가 혹은 피할 수 있는 것인가? 중추신경계 증상으로 촬영한 뇌 자기공명영상에서 간과된 청신경 종양 4예

Is error and discrepancy in radiology inevitable or avoidable? Four cases where acoustic neuroma was missed in brain magnetic resonance imaging

Diagnostic error can be defined as “diagnosis that was unintentionally delayed (sufficient information was available earlier), wrong (wrong diagnosis made before the correct one), or missed (no diagnosis ever made), as judged from the eventual appreciation of more definitive information”. According to previous studies, estimated rate of errors and discrepancies in radiology are 3%-5% of studies reported. In 2014, Kim and Mansfield published classification system for radiological error. Errors and discrepancies in radiologic finding are somewhat inevitable and evitable. However, its impact to patients may be significant on some disease entities. Diagnostic error can give health system mistrust and dissatisfaction from both patients and doctors. We report four cases of acoustic neuroma that was not diagnosed on brain magnetic resonance images by diagnostic radiologists but detected by otolaryngologist later. Authors suggest that it is better to improve patient safety and reduce diagnostic error for clinicians to review carefully the images that was taken for other reasons but included area of interest. Clinicians should review the images by themselves as well as read radiologist’s interpretation.