Rationale and objectives: The authors assessed the influence of a prior reader's opinion on the detectability of rib fractures.
Methods: Six pairs of observers read the chest PA radiographs of 92 subjects with rib fracture(s) and 28 normal subjects to detect rib fracture(s) according to a five-point rating of confidence with three methods. In method A, each reader read films as a primary reader. In method B, each reader read films after knowing his or her partner's opinion. In method C, each reader initially observed films and then made the final decision after knowing his or her partner's opinion.
Results: Methods B and C were superior to method A in sensitivity. There was no difference in performance between methods B and C. Method C required a significantly longer time than the other methods.
Conclusion: Detection of rib fractures is improved by seeking the opinion of other observers.