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British Neuropathological Society and International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging expert consensus statement for post mortem neurological imaging
Author(s) -
Shelmerdine S. C.,
Hutchinson J. C.,
AlSarraj S.,
Cary N.,
Dawson T.,
Du Plessis D.,
Ince P. G.,
McLaughlin S.,
Palm L.,
Smith C.,
Stoodley N.,
Rijn R.,
Arthurs O. J.,
Jacques T. S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.538
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1365-2990
pISSN - 0305-1846
DOI - 10.1111/nan.12482
Subject(s) - delphi method , neuroimaging , medicine , guideline , multidisciplinary approach , appropriateness criteria , family medicine , medical physics , medical education , radiology , psychiatry , pathology , political science , artificial intelligence , computer science , law
Aims To develop an expert consensus statement regarding appropriate clinical and forensic post mortem neurological imaging. Methods An expert panel of clinicians were recruited from registered members of the British Neuropathological Society ( BNS ) and the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging ( ISFRI ) with post mortem expertise. Following a focus group meeting, 16 core statements were incorporated into an online modified Delphi survey and each panellist was asked to score their level of agreement. Following the first iteration, two statements that failed to reach consensus were modified and re‐rated. Consensus was predefined as 75% agreement across responders. Results Seventeen experts joined the panel and 12 (70.6%) attended the focus group meeting; 14 (82%) completed both iterations of the survey. Consensus was reached for need of adequate clinical history, multidisciplinary discussion, establishment of special interest groups to discuss cases, gathering further evidence to inform imaging choices, establishment of methods for quality assessment in reporting standards and adequate funding for imaging services. The panel agreed that pathologists should be responsible for neuroimaging referrals, collating results of ancillary tests, and producing the final post mortem report. Areas requiring further discussion include the impact of double reporting, indications for neuroimaging and utilities of three‐dimensional printing. Conclusion The BNS / ISFRI statement represents current views of an expert panel of health professionals engaged in post‐mortem neuroimaging. We hope this provides a working guideline for less experienced operators, stimulates discussion and highlights the most pressing clinical and research questions.