Rectal cancer staging using MRI: adherence in reporting to evidence-based practice

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the first-line imaging modality for local staging of rectal cancer. The radiology report should deliver all relevant available imaging information to guide treatment. PURPOSE: To explore and describe if there was a gap between the contents in MRI reports for primary staging of rectal cancer in Sweden in 2010 compared to evidence-based practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 243 primary MRI staging reports from 2010, collected from 10 hospitals in four healthcare regions in Sweden, were analyzed using content analysis with a deductive thematic coding scheme based on evidence-based practice. Focus was on: (i) most frequently reported findings; (ii) correlation to key prognostic findings; and (iii) identifying if any findings being reported were beyond the information defined in evidence-based practice. RESULTS: Most frequently reported findings were spread through the bowel wall or not, local lymph node description, tumor length, and distance of tumor from anal verge. These items accounted for 35% of the reporting content. Of all reported content, 86% correlated with the evidence-based practice. However, these included more information than was generally found in the reports. When adjusting for omitted information, 48% of the reported content were accounted for. Of the reported content, 20% correlated to key pathological prognostic findings. Six types of findings were reported beyond the evidence-based practice, representing 14% of the total reporting content. CONCLUSION: There was a gap between everyday practice and evidence-based practice in 2010. This indicates a need for national harmonization and implementation of standardized structured reporting templates.