Recurring concern
Unreliable interpretation of diagnostic imaging
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Request correctionFirst reported 14 Oct 2013•Latest report 31 Mar 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures of the diagnostic imaging interpretation process, including incorrect interpretation or failure to recognise abnormalities on X-rays, CT scans and comparable diagnostic images.
Not included
- Excludes delays in radiological reporting or specialist review where the concern is timeliness rather than interpretation.
- Excludes inappropriate reliance on a diagnostic modality's known limitations unless the concern is specifically the failure to account for those limitations.
- Excludes failures in clinical examination, communication, documentation or treatment that are not directly a failure to interpret diagnostic imaging.
- Reports
- 17
- Individual concerns
- 18
- Date range
- 2013–2026
- Stated actions
- 43
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to identify mesenteric thrombi in overnight radiology practice
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
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Action
Remind radiologists and trainees to specifically assess the superior mesenteric artery when investigating suspected ischaemic bowel.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Change radiology protocols to use thinner two-plane reconstructions for improved regional visualisation.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Require next-morning Consultant review of overnight scans reported by pre-FRCR Part 2b trainees.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Enable discretionary next-morning Consultant review of scans reported overnight by post-FRCR Part 2b trainees.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Re-present the case through the REAL radiology learning and case-review meeting.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The missed embolus was difficult to diagnose, perception errors can occur, and no particular reporting pressure, interruption or distraction was identified.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure of neuroradiological review to identify and flag critical intracranial pressure indicators
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Investigate the identified examination and specialist-advice failures through the ongoing Significant Incident investigation.
Stated by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust -
Action
Make recommendations to prevent recurrence of the identified examination and specialist-advice failures.
Stated by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The Trust disputes that the missed brain herniation finding was obvious, stating that this was an exceptionally rare complication.
Stated by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to note fractures on X-rays during admission
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Establish individual Consultant Radiologists’ error and discrepancy-rate monitoring to identify practice and training needs.
Stated by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust -
Action
Provide additional training to reporters on the differing CRIS and PACS image presentation order.
Stated by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The individual radiologist’s error rate was below the threshold requiring remedial action, so no remedial intervention was considered necessary.
Stated by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise the limitations of imaging in assessing active bleeding
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure neurological and brain scans are viewed and reported by Neuro-Radiologists
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Incorrect interpretation of the cardiac silhouette
Misinterpretation of chest x-rays
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Local services should review the environment, clinician training, ultrasound availability and rapid reporting arrangements.
Stated by Royal College of Emergency Medicine
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Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise pneumothorax on X-rays
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026