Moroco AE, Saadi RA, Baker AR, Zhu J, Isildak H. Usage Patterns of CT and MRI in the Evaluation of Otologic Disease.
Otol Neurotol 2021;
42:e698-e708. [PMID:
33606467 DOI:
10.1097/mao.0000000000003095]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the current trends and usage patterns of radiographic imaging for otologic disease by specialty, length of practice, practice setting, geographic region, and pediatric volume.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Survey of physicians.
SUBJECTS
General Otolaryngologists and Otologists/Neurotologists (O/N) of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS).
METHODS AND OUTCOME MEASURES
An electronic questionnaire was distributed to AAO-HNS members. Respondents were separated into groups by specialty, length of practice, practice setting, region, and pediatric exposure. Chi-square tests were performed for the determination of significance.
RESULTS
The survey was sent to 5,168 members of AAO-HNS. The response rate was 10.6% (n = 546) and 18.1% for only O/N (n = 143). Most respondents were generalists (74%), in practice >20 years (51%), with a primarily adult practice (95%). O/N were more often academics (44 versus 17% combined, 40% private; p < 0.001) and saw fewer children (80 fewer than 25%; p < 0.001). Compared with generalists, O/N were more likely to respond with more frequent and earlier magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilization in the workup of the majority of otologic diseases. Significant differences in usage patterns for various conditions were demonstrated across all categories, but specialty training was the most common. Generalists (34 versus 12% of O/N; p < 0.001), physicians practicing >20 years (32 versus 18% of < 5 yrs; p = 0.006), and private practice physicians (34 versus 14-20% of others; p < 0.001) relied more heavily on the radiology report to interpret MRI scans.
CONCLUSION
Subspecialty training seems to be the main variable correlating with significant differences in the use of MRI and computed tomography imaging in patients with otologic disease.
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