Structured reporting of dental panoramic images in a hospital-based radiology setting: a comparative study
Schnitzer ML, Biechele G, Schober E, Herr FL, Dascalescu C, Heimer M, Ebner R, Fusch V, Marschner S, Corradini S, Ortner FG, Frölich MF, Baier F, Graf T, Rübenthaler J, Geyer T (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 7
Article Number: 1769864
DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2026.1769864
Abstract
Background: Despite radiological advancements, free-text reporting remains common. Structured reporting (SR) improves completeness, clarity, communication, efficiency, and information extraction while benefiting education and research. Its success depends on well-designed, modality-specific templates. Methods: This study aimed to compare SRs and narrative reports (NRs) for dental panoramic images in a hospital-based radiology department with respect to completeness, clarity, ease of information extraction, and clinical utility.Fifty dental panoramic images were randomly selected from the clinical archive of a tertiary-care hospital radiology department. NRs by radiologists were compared with SRs retrospectively created by a board-certified dentist using a decision-tree template (Smart Radiology platform). A questionnaire, developed with two additional dentists, assessed completeness, clarity, ease of information extraction, and clinical utility. Results: SRs outperformed NRs in all areas. Clinical questions were answered in 100% of SRs vs. 42% of NRs (p < 0.05). SRs enabled clinical decision-making in 100% of cases vs. 29% for NRs (p < 0.05). Key features were omitted in 3% of SRs but in 96% of NRs (p < 0.05). Information extraction was rated “easy/fast” in 100% of SRs vs. 52% of NRs (p < 0.05). Evaluators showed greater trust in SRs (Likert score: 5.97 vs. 4.27, p < 0.05). Conclusions: SR significantly enhances report quality, clinical decision-making, and communication in dental panoramic imaging.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Klinikum der Universität München (LMU Klinikum)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Mannheim / University Medical Centre Mannheim (Universitätsmedizin Mannheim)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Regensburg
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Mannheim / University Medical Centre Mannheim (Universitätsmedizin Mannheim)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Regensburg
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Schnitzer, M.L., Biechele, G., Schober, E., Herr, F.L., Dascalescu, C., Heimer, M.,... Geyer, T. (2026). Structured reporting of dental panoramic images in a hospital-based radiology setting: a comparative study. Frontiers in Dental Medicine, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2026.1769864
MLA:
Schnitzer, Moritz Ludwig, et al. "Structured reporting of dental panoramic images in a hospital-based radiology setting: a comparative study." Frontiers in Dental Medicine 7 (2026).
BibTeX: Download