JACR Study Finds Twofold Variability in Radiologist False-Positive Rates for Lung CT Screening

JACR study of 200k low-dose CT lung screens read by 1.4k radiologists found false-positive rates from 11% to 22%; one radiologist had twice the odds of a false-positive call as another. Higher false-positive readers had higher sensitivity (97% vs 92%).

• Interpretation variability could be reduced through standardized screening programs similar to mammography, including support tools, automated feedback, educational interventions, and targeted double reading.
• Below-median false-positive readers would have about 100 fewer false-positive screens for one fewer true-positive cancer on baseline exams.
• Lung cancer screening participation is rising but still far below breast cancer screening (19% vs roughly 75%).

Automated summary

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