Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: What is the effect of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis?

Kevin R. Flaherty, Talmadge E. King, Ganesh Raghu, Joseph P. Lynch, Thomas V. Colby, William D. Travis, Barry H. Gross, Ella A. Kazerooni, Galen B. Toews, Qi Long, Susan Murray, Vibha N. Lama, Steven E. Gay, Fernando J. Martinez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

429 Scopus citations

Abstract

Current guidelines recommend that the clinician, radiologist, and pathologist work together to establish a diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Three clinicians, two radiologists, and two pathologists reviewed 58 consecutive cases of suspected idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Each participant was provided information in a sequential manner and was asked to record their diagnostic impression and level of confidence at each step. Interobserver agreement improved from the beginning to the end of the review. After the presentation of histopathologic information, radiologists changed their diagnostic impression more often than did clinicians. In general, as more information was provided the confidence level for a given diagnosis improved, and the diagnoses rendered with a high level of confidence were more likely congruent with the final pathologic consensus diagnosis. The final consensus pathologist diagnosis was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 30 cases. Clinicians identified 75% and radiologists identified 48% of these cases before presentation of the histopathologic information. Histopathologic information has the greatest impact on the final diagnosis, especially when the initial clinical/radiographic diagnosis is not idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We conclude that dynamic interactions between clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists improve interobserver agreement and diagnostic confidence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)904-910
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
Volume170
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2004

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
  • Usual interstitial pneumonia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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