SO02 SYNOPTIC REPORTING OF BREAST IMAGING: AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE BREAST CANCER CARE.

A scoping study of breast imaging reporting in July 2006 by the National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) revealed that synoptic reporting has not been widely implemented in Australia. The 2002 NBCC publication Breast imaging: a guide for practice recommended the use of a breast imaging synoptic report. A synoptic report contains a summary of essential information in a checklist format with standard language, descriptions and classification system (i). Synoptic reporting may improve the content and completeness of reports, reduce the risk of misinterpretation of findings, improve communication between referring clinicians and radiologists and facilitate the transfer of information to databases for quality improvement activities and audit (i). A breast imaging synoptic report helps clinicians and patients by assisting in tracking individual lesions, ensuring the inclusion of mammographic and ultrasound characteristics of lesions, offering one classification per lesion and a combined imaging diagnosis. As a result of the scoping study, the breast imaging synoptic report has been revised by a multidisciplinary working group to ensure acceptability and applicability to radiologists, referring clinicians and end users. A number of strategies have been identified to assist the implementation of the revised NBCC breast imaging synoptic report and standard classification system. Surgeons as referrers and end users, play an integral role in advocating and promoting the use of synoptic reporting in breast imaging. (i) National Breast Cancer Centre. Breast imaging: a guide for practice. Camperdown, NSW: National Breast Cancer Centre, 2002. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]