Cross-reading MRI/CT with Japan reduces the risk of missing pathology by up to 20 times

This is the second consecutive year that Bernard Healthcare has been invited to attend and report on research conducted during the implementation of the Ningen Dock model in Vietnam. This conference, Bernard Healthcare presented two new topics, including the study: "Second opinion consultation and differences in diagnostic imaging: A cross-sectional study at Bernard Healthcare and Yamanashi University Hospital".

- Ảnh 1. — Bernard Healthcare delegation participated in the live report at the conference

Dr. Bui Le Nhat Tien - Specialist in Preventive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Bernard Healthcare shared: This is a new research direction in both Vietnam and Japan, but has practical significance in improving diagnostic accuracy and screening quality. Hopefully, this result will bring another useful perspective to the medical community, and at the same time be the motivation for Bernard to continuously improve, to better serve domestic and international customers.

The key to detecting underlying disease

Cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease are increasing and getting younger. Especially cancer, according to Globocan 2022, each year Vietnam has more than 182,000 new cancer cases. Although many people are concerned about cost or time, the accuracy in diagnosis is the deciding factor - a small but missed lesion can lose the opportunity for early treatment.

In Japan - one of the leading countries in preventive medicine, the "cross-reading" mechanism in diagnostic imaging has been widely applied in screening. Accordingly, 2 independent doctors read the results and compare them to minimize errors. This model has been applied by Bernard Healthcare in Vietnam, through professional connections with Yamanashi University Hospital.

- Ảnh 2. — Bernard Healthcare forms strategic partnership with Yamanashi University Hospital

At Bernard, there have been many specific clinical cases. The first case, Ms. MH (52 years old) was healthy and had no symptoms. However, the results of the chest MRI at Bernard Healthcare detected a cystic mass next to the heart about 3 cm. Very quickly, the image was sent to Yamanashi Hospital for cross-reading, and it was determined to be a pericardial cyst - a rare congenital abnormality (about 1/100,000 people). Thanks to the timely detection, she was advised to have regular follow-up and appropriate treatment.

The second case, Mr. H.D.L (60 years old), had no symptoms. The chest CT scan results detected abnormalities in the lungs. This lesion was determined by Dr. Bernard to be nonspecific with two main diagnostic directions: chronic inflammatory lesion or cystic lung cancer, so the image was sent to Yamanashi. After examination, it was confirmed that the lesion was nodular, requiring further evaluation because of the high risk of malignancy.

- Ảnh 3. — Results of second opinion consultation with Japanese experts

From practice to scientific evidence

From a clinical perspective, Bernard Healthcare published its research results based on a professional cooperation mechanism with Yamanashi University Hospital (Japan). Accordingly, The study was conducted on 364 patients with 578 MRI/CT scans (from August 2023 to March 2025). The results showed that 88-94% were in agreement or had only small, clinically insignificant differences. Clinically significant differences appeared in only 1-2% of cases.

"If we assume that each radiologist reads the results with 90 - 95% accuracy, when applying the second opinion consultation method with a double-blind, independent reading mechanism, the probability of missing a lesion is only 0.25 - 1%, reducing the risk of missing a lesion by 10 - 20 times compared to reading it only once," Dr. Nhat Tien explained.

- Ảnh 4. — Research on Bernard's cross-reading mechanism was highly appreciated by the Scientific Council for its practical value.

Patients in Vietnam but Japanese diagnostic quality

With the Ningen Dock model at Bernard, which is jointly operated by the Yamanashi University Hospital in the imaging diagnostic station, all customers who use MRI and CT Scan services are not only read by domestic experts but also transferred to the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at Yamanashi University Hospital for comparison and confirmation. Thanks to that, customers in Vietnam have access to quality control standards equivalent to Japan.

Diagnostic errors are minimized, especially with small lesions or easily missed locations. Complex cases (suspected cancer, stroke risk, cardiovascular disease, etc.) are discussed directly between the two parties, ensuring a firm conclusion and optimal treatment plan.

- Ảnh 5. — Online consultation between Dr. Bernard and Yamanashi University Hospital Specialist

Dr. Nguyen Dai Hung Linh, Head of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Bernard Healthcare, said: "Multi-layered cross-checking between Vietnamese and Japanese doctors helps minimize this risk while improving the reliability of diagnosis. The ultimate benefit belongs to patients: access to more accurate and safer screening services."

The right direction

MRI/CT cross-reference is not simply an additional step of examination but the foundation for increasing accuracy, reducing omissions, and improving the quality of diagnosis. This is the right direction.

Professor Hiroshi Onishi, Vice President of the Japanese Society of Diagnostic Imaging, Director of the Japanese Society of Radiotherapy, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Yamanashi University Hospital, shared: "We cooperate with Bernard Healthcare to bring high-quality diagnostic imaging services from Japan. Not only do we provide results, we also provide detailed comments and carefully and clearly guide patients on how to proceed."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-cheo-mri-ct-voi-nhat-ban-giam-toi-20-lan-nguy-co-bo-sot-benh-ly-185250905111705316.htm