Structured template for standardised reporting of non-contrast computed tomography in urinary stone disease as a superior tool for urologists – a randomised controlled trial

Standardised structured reporting (SR) aims to improve the clarity, completeness, and clinical applicability of radiological reports. For non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) of urinary stones, a reporting template was developed collaboratively by the German Radiologic Society and the German Society of Urology. This study evaluates urologists’ satisfaction with SR compared to free-text reports (NR). A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 200 NCCT reports (100 SR, 100 NR). Five urologists of varying experience levels assessed the reports using a questionnaire, covering content, formal aspects, clinical consequences, and overall report quality. Scores were based on a 6-point Likert scale (0–6). Structured reports significantly outperformed free-text reports in all evaluated domains (p < 0.001). SR provided clearer descriptions of stone characteristics and radiographic signs, enabling precise clinical decision-making. The overall satisfaction score for SR was 5.83 ± 0.56 compared to 4.18 ± 1.13 for NR. Formal aspects, such as report structure, also showed marked improvements in SR. The findings demonstrate SR’s superiority in clinical utility, completeness, and clarity. By facilitating Artificial Intelligence integration and secondary data analysis, SR offers additional advantages. Broader adoption requires promoting user acceptance and validating translated versions for international use.