Spine J April 2017 PMID 27867079

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period.

Richard Herzog, Daniel R Elgort, Adam E Flanders, Peter J Moley

Download social card

Mentions

412
Peak: 14 in Mar 2023
across 5 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

356,536
potential audience

Total likes

82

Video views

411

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook227 posts
  • News119 articles
  • X / Twitter59 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall digital discussions reveal strong agreement on the article’s findings, with users expressing concern about diagnostic inconsistency through phrases like 'wide range of diagnoses' and 'substantial variability.' The tone is both analytical and critical, highlighting real cases like the woman who received conflicting results across multiple centers and emphasizing the importance of diagnostic reliability in medical practice.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study’s findings that highlight significant variability in MRI diagnoses, showing general support or acceptance.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions demonstrate high interest, with participants referencing multiple MRI centers, diagnostic inconsistencies, and real-world implications, indicating curiosity and concern.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts delve into specific examples, such as a woman undergoing 10 MRIs with differing outcomes, and include critical commentary on diagnostic reliability, reflecting deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

Many posts emphasize the potentially serious consequences of inconsistent diagnostics on patient care and treatment decisions, indicating a perception of high impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates whether there are significant differences in MRI diagnoses for the same patient across 10 different imaging centers within a short timeframe, challenging the idea that MRI services are uniform in quality.
  • It found substantial variability in interpretive findings and a wide range of interpretive errors, suggesting that diagnostic consistency may not be guaranteed across different centers, which could impact patient care and costs.
  • Using quantitative measures like agreement rates and error counts, the researchers compared multiple MRI reports of a single patient with reference exams, highlighting inconsistencies and potential diagnostic inaccuracies among the centers.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mike Reiman
@MikeReiman · X

Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam & which radiologist interprets exam may have a direct impact on radiological dx, subsequent choice of tx, and clinical outcome." https://t.co/Vr77GDtMQq https://t.co/yRmDouSPI5

Mar 9, 2023 · 46 likes · 14 shares · 9,194 followers View post →
ɹǝʇlnoԀ pıʌɐᗡ
@Retlouping · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period https://t.co/s3tpvOFCkw https://t.co/VbHNaHOg0f

Sep 16, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 26,361 followers View post →
enith vlooswijk
@enithka · X

Stuur een patiënt naar tien verschillende centra voor een MRI-scan van de rug, en ze vinden allemaal wat anders. Best een hilarische studie. https://t.co/qbh74HzfNF

Oct 26, 2020 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 4,091 followers View post →
Bowine Michel MD PhD
@BowineMichel · X

Een grappig onderzoek waarbij een 63 jarige vrouw met lage rugklachten en klachten in gebied L5 een MRI laat maken bij 10 MRI centra. De uitkomst verschilt nogal. https://t.co/INOi2wqC47

Oct 26, 2020 · 4 likes · 1,344 followers View post →
Ben Cormack
@CorKinetic · X

@marklaslett_NZ It was more about the BPS than MRI Mark. It was just an example but was based on this https://t.co/OJ0eIyfDUx

Apr 28, 2020 · 3 likes · 28,434 followers View post →
Bengal | THE Jungle’s Physio
@Bengal_DPT · X

@bowtiedkobra @BowTiedLoon @MaaaDoe Fun with 1 person does 10 MRIs and they aren’t consistent https://t.co/Qbg1Mxqwa9

Feb 17, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 13,076 followers View post →

All mentions

Alexander Manson
@XanManson · X

@theRealSkubs @deenamousa You can go look up each field in your own time but the studies generally look like this: https://t.co/ivMi0DuOFv https://t.co/QwQ8xzSOF0 https://t.co/2FA97l0kkm

Nov 2, 2025 · 119 followers View post →
Absurdus
@AdAltum · X

@politicalmath Anyone who's ever gone to the doctor for chronic pain (a far FAR more common ailment than a broken femur) knows that its diagnosis is wildly varied and unsure. E.g. this study of a woman who was sent to 10 imaging centers for her back pain: https://t.co/m4dw1vUlUe https://t.co/a0dhi58S6M

Nov 23, 2024 · 345 followers View post →
Arcadia V
@YangGangBabe · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Feb 25, 2024 · 14 shares · 214 followers View post →
Jay Black
@racerjay2 · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Feb 25, 2024 · 14 shares · 50 followers View post →
QT 3.14
@coquita_c · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Feb 25, 2024 · 14 shares · 1,625 followers View post →
Adrian Rawlinson MD
@cmio · X

This study found marked variability in the reported interpretive findings and a high prevalence of interpretive errors in radiologists' reports of an MRI examination of the lumbar spine performed on the same patient at 10 different…https://t.co/yNhzHXvUQc https://t.co/YmhPKZBMaO

Mar 21, 2023 · 833 followers View post →
STEVEN T. E@STER
@steventeaster · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 15, 2023 · 14 shares · 21,333 followers View post →
Germán T.
@german_tmn · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 12, 2023 · 14 shares · 190 followers View post →
Mladen Jovanović
@Physical_Prep · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 10, 2023 · 14 shares · 27,034 followers View post →
Dustin P. Montgomery
@Dusto06 · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 99 followers View post →
LEANNE RATH
@RathLeanne · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 2,184 followers View post →
John Drummond
@GatesPhysio · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 3,915 followers View post →
Cancer
@neuron6760 · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 207 followers View post →
Ryan Tully
@RyanTullyDPT · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 399 followers View post →
Jerry Durham
@Jerry_DurhamPT · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 15,963 followers View post →
Sprint Science
@spikesonly · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 34,030 followers View post →
Mindaugas Setkus
@MindaugasFizio · X

RT @MikeReiman: Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam…

Mar 9, 2023 · 14 shares · 18 followers View post →
Mike Reiman
@MikeReiman · X

Variability in MRI reading-diagnostic error 1 patient, 10 MRIs, 49 distinct findings "Where a pt obtains his/her MRI exam & which radiologist interprets exam may have a direct impact on radiological dx, subsequent choice of tx, and clinical outcome." https://t.co/Vr77GDtMQq https://t.co/yRmDouSPI5

Mar 9, 2023 · 46 likes · 14 shares · 9,194 followers View post →
Kobra Sports Med
@KobraSportsMed · X

RT @BowTied_Bengal: @bowtiedkobra @BowTiedLoon @MaaaDoe Fun with 1 person does 10 MRIs and they aren’t consistent https://t.co/Qbg1Mxqwa9

Feb 17, 2023 · 1 share · 20,414 followers View post →
Bengal | THE Jungle’s Physio
@Bengal_DPT · X

@bowtiedkobra @BowTiedLoon @MaaaDoe Fun with 1 person does 10 MRIs and they aren’t consistent https://t.co/Qbg1Mxqwa9

Feb 17, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 13,076 followers View post →
ɹǝʇlnoԀ pıʌɐᗡ
@Retlouping · X

@lisaslk “This may be the study you are looking for “

Jan 26, 2023 · 1 like · 26,361 followers View post →
Pearse Physio
@PearseStPhysio · X

MRI's are very helpful but they are only a part of the story, don't let an MRI define who you are. https://t.co/EcPPCD2uOr https://t.co/Nj2X6Dslc8

May 9, 2022 · 446 followers View post →
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period https://t.co/5Ewm51JjOt via @PeterJMoleyMD et al

Feb 12, 2022 · 1 like · 32,306 followers View post →
Guilherme
@guilhermeeozeca · X

Em outro bastante famoso, um cirurgião de coluna com sintomas clássicos de hérnia de disco L5-S1 resolveu realizar ressonância magnética em 10 lugares diferentes e comparar os resultados. Apenas 1 acertava a causa dos sintomas https://t.co/6F9k9LR9kM

Jan 20, 2022 · 18,802 followers View post →
Aritz Monasterio A.
@sasutra3 · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 #MRI centers performing #LumbarSpine MRI examinations on the same #Patient within a 3 week period

Jan 16, 2022 · 6,662 followers View post →
Aritz Monasterio A.
@sasutra3 · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 #MRI centers performing #LumbarSpine MRI examinations on the same #Patient within a 3 week period

Dec 16, 2021 · 6,662 followers View post →
Aritz Monasterio A.
@sasutra3 · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 #MRI centers performing #LumbarSpine MRI examinations on the same #Patient within a 3 week period

Nov 25, 2021 · 1 like · 6,662 followers View post →
Apa
@AlpalBe · X

RT @Retlouping: Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within…

Sep 17, 2021 · 3 shares · 853 followers View post →
Kineblasto
@Kineblasto · X

RT @Retlouping: Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within…

Sep 16, 2021 · 3 shares · 111 followers View post →
ɹǝʇlnoԀ pıʌɐᗡ
@Retlouping · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period https://t.co/s3tpvOFCkw https://t.co/VbHNaHOg0f

Sep 16, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 26,361 followers View post →
The Sport Medicine Clinic-Carleton U
@CUSportMed · X

RT @TatianaJev: Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within…

Jul 9, 2021 · 1 share · 333 followers View post →
Tatiana Jevremovic
@TatianaJev · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period - PubMed https://t.co/wYt5BZ3nxx

Jul 8, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 285 followers View post →
Daniel Kawka
@KawkaDaniel · X

MRI to naprawdę słabe narzędzie do diagnostyki bólu pleców. Poniżej możesz przeczytać o 63-letniej pacjentce, która w ciągu 3 tygodni zrobiła 10 badań MRI kręgosłupa w różnych placówkach. Wszędzie wyszło co innego. https://t.co/wqXNOpzM4D

Jul 8, 2021 · 1 like · 741 followers View post →
Laurent MARC
@laurentmarc45 · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

Jun 7, 2021 · 14 shares · 639 followers View post →
A. CRÉTAL
@Osteopathe44 · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

Jun 7, 2021 · 14 shares · 166 followers View post →
Ryan Evans
@ryanmarcevans · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

Jun 1, 2021 · 14 shares · 51 followers View post →
Adam Dobson
@adamdobson123 · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

Jun 1, 2021 · 14 shares · 12,676 followers View post →
John Drummond
@GatesPhysio · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

May 20, 2021 · 14 shares · 3,915 followers View post →
Kineblasto
@Kineblasto · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

May 17, 2021 · 14 shares · 111 followers View post →
Alison Synakowski
@AlisonSyno · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

May 17, 2021 · 14 shares · 165 followers View post →
Steph
@Steph06427132 · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

May 17, 2021 · 14 shares · 120 followers View post →
MuhammadAfiqJ
@AfiqJ86 · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

May 17, 2021 · 14 shares · 147 followers View post →
Craig Liebenson
@CraigLiebenson · X

RT @1gregorross: Another reason to think hard about imaging. Who knows what will be reported?

May 16, 2021 · 14 shares · 8,205 followers View post →
andrey a
@aandr314 · X

“Wow 70 scientists analyzed data and gave opposite results” story is going around. We know. Here same woman went to 10 MRI centers, got wide range of diagnoses, zero findings appear in all reports. @BarbellMedicine https://t.co/u4I7dyqC8E

Apr 14, 2021 · 1,574 followers View post →
andrey a
@aandr314 · X

@CherylRofer The real effect might have been 0 in the linked dataset. I like this story more: same woman went to 10 MRI centers with pain complaint. Zero findings appear in all reports https://t.co/u4I7dyqC8E

Apr 14, 2021 · 1,574 followers View post →
Sebastián Martín Pérez
@smartipPT · X

9️⃣ Matsumoto et al.,2013: https://t.co/YDFjROHBjf

Apr 8, 2021 · 627 followers View post →
cc
@pt___ · X

"one patient scanned at 10 different MRI centers over a period of 3 weeks". Amazing. https://t.co/iE2rV3wLfx

Nov 4, 2020 · 2 likes · 307 followers View post →
Bowine Michel MD PhD
@BowineMichel · X

Een grappig onderzoek waarbij een 63 jarige vrouw met lage rugklachten en klachten in gebied L5 een MRI laat maken bij 10 MRI centra. De uitkomst verschilt nogal. https://t.co/INOi2wqC47

Oct 26, 2020 · 4 likes · 1,344 followers View post →
As Nature Does, Noself AND BV
@AsBiopharma · X

RT @enithka: Stuur een patiënt naar tien verschillende centra voor een MRI-scan van de rug, en ze vinden allemaal wat anders. Best een hila…

Oct 26, 2020 · 2 shares · 265 followers View post →
Politicals122
@Politicals122 · X

RT @enithka: Stuur een patiënt naar tien verschillende centra voor een MRI-scan van de rug, en ze vinden allemaal wat anders. Best een hila…

Oct 26, 2020 · 2 shares · 1,157 followers View post →
enith vlooswijk
@enithka · X

Stuur een patiënt naar tien verschillende centra voor een MRI-scan van de rug, en ze vinden allemaal wat anders. Best een hilarische studie. https://t.co/qbh74HzfNF

Oct 26, 2020 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 4,091 followers View post →
Hidle Sol
@Solana_Hide · X

@PBlancoFisio @Mageromeu14 Mirad esto, misma paciente, 10 RNM y diferentes diagnósticos. En un plazo de 3 semanas: https://t.co/xRjNVG2Qse

Sep 30, 2020 · 1 like · 5,802 followers View post →
Hugo Thomas
@thom_hugo · X

@KineMeuh Heureusement que les radios trouvent la cause, car les irm, elles, donnent des résultats différents entre elles

Jun 17, 2020 · 1 like · 169 followers View post →
Ben Cormack
@CorKinetic · X

@marklaslett_NZ It was more about the BPS than MRI Mark. It was just an example but was based on this https://t.co/OJ0eIyfDUx

Apr 28, 2020 · 3 likes · 28,434 followers View post →
Callum Repper
@CallumRepper · X

Lockdown Daily Article 12

Mar 31, 2020 · 1 like · 584 followers View post →
Леонид Морозов
@TherapyBody · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period. - PubMed - NCBI https://t.co/M5s4bpy6Dy

Sep 3, 2019 · 2,540 followers View post →
Gac Ciencia Forense
@GacetaCienForen · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period : https://t.co/dDl1AP7jhJ

Aug 21, 2019 · 1,523 followers View post →
Umaed Joseph
@umaedjoseph · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations on the same patient within a 3-week period - ScienceDirect https://t.co/UN7UTKvR99

Apr 17, 2019 · 33 followers View post →
Lars Avemarie
@larsavemarie · X

Variability in diagnostic error rates of 10 MRI centers performing lumbar spine MRI examinations "Across all 10 study examinations, there were 49 distinct findings reported related to the presence of a... https://t.co/ibu0KKDUm4

Apr 17, 2019 · 1,341 followers View post →