Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography for acute appendicitis: Comparison among in-training, junior, and senior radiologists

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is widely used for diagnosing acute appendicitis, but the impact of radiologist experience on diagnostic accuracy remains unclear. This study compares the diagnostic performance of in-training, junior, and senior radiologists to assess whether experience influences accuracy and interobserver agreement. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study analyzed CT scans of 196 patients suspected of having acute appendicitis from January to December 2020. Three radiologists—in training, junior, and senior—interpreted the scans independently. The diagnostic performance of each reader was compared based on pathological or clinical follow-up. Diagnostic accuracy indices were calculated for each reader, and interobserver agreement was assessed.