A reviewing radiologist examines the actual images and provides an independent interpretation, addressing findings, their significance, and whether changes are acute or degenerative.
Subspecialty certification exists for neuroradiology and musculoskeletal imaging.
Alternative Names:
Radiology Expert, Reviewing Radiologist
Why it Matters?
Obtaining the actual images rather than the report is the essential step, since the treating radiologist's interpretation is one reading and reviewing radiologists frequently reach different conclusions about the same study. Comparison against prior imaging is the most productive analysis, because a finding present before the incident is dispositive on causation. Subspecialty match matters for complex studies.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Why obtain the images rather than the report?
What is the most productive analysis?
