Structured Versus Non-Structured Reporting of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Imaging: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background

Effective communication between radiologists and clinicians is essential for optimal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. Structured reporting (SR) of imaging reports may enhance interdisciplinary communication and clinical decision-making; however, its utility compared to non-structured reporting (NSR) in IBD remains unclear. This systematic review evaluated IBD clinician perceptions of SR versus NSR in IBD-related imaging.

Methods

Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL were searched to January 2025 for studies comparing SR and NSR in abdominal and pelvic imaging for IBD, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and intestinal ultrasound (IUS). The primary outcome was perceived clarity and clinical utility by the referring clinician, with report completeness evaluated as a secondary outcome.

Results

Six studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 199 IBD patients and 224 scans (105 MRI, 119 CT), with a total of 550 SR/NSR report pairs evaluated by 19 clinicians. No eligible studies assessed pelvic MRI or IUS. In four of five studies, clinicians perceived SR as clearer than NSR. Similarly, SR were viewed as having greater clinical utility for assessing disease activity, identifying disease phenotype, and influencing management decisions in four studies. SR were also associated with more complete reporting based on predefined radiological criteria in three studies.

Conclusion

Clinicians generally perceived SR to provide greater clarity and clinical utility than NSR in IBD-related imaging, potentially enhancing interdisciplinary communication and clinical decision-making. Further research is needed to validate these findings and evaluate their impact on patient outcomes in routine IBD practice.