Criteria list used to assess the methodologic quality of the studies
| Criteria of validity . | Positive score . |
|---|---|
| Internal validity | |
| 1. Prospective study | Mentioned in publication |
| 2. Avoidance of incorporation bias | The index test did not form part of the reference test |
| 3. Avoidance of diagnostic review bias | Blind interpretation of index test without knowledge of reference test |
| 4. Avoidance of test review bias | Blind interpretation of reference test without knowledge of index test |
| 5. Avoidance of comparator review bias | Blinding index test to the other imaging modality, if more than one imaging modality was applied |
| 6. Minimum of withdrawal bias | < 10% of patients withdrew after the index test |
| 7. Avoidance of study examination bias | < 10% of indeterminate or uninterpretable results |
| External validity | |
| 1. Avoidance of patient filtering bias | Selection criteria described, age and sex of patients reported |
| 2. Avoidance of spectrum bias | All stages of disease |
| 3. Avoidance of selection bias | Consecutive series of patients |
| 4. Standard execution of index test | Application of the same hardware and imaging protocol in all patients |
| 5. Avoidance of observer variability bias | Interpreter(s) of index test described |
| Criteria of validity . | Positive score . |
|---|---|
| Internal validity | |
| 1. Prospective study | Mentioned in publication |
| 2. Avoidance of incorporation bias | The index test did not form part of the reference test |
| 3. Avoidance of diagnostic review bias | Blind interpretation of index test without knowledge of reference test |
| 4. Avoidance of test review bias | Blind interpretation of reference test without knowledge of index test |
| 5. Avoidance of comparator review bias | Blinding index test to the other imaging modality, if more than one imaging modality was applied |
| 6. Minimum of withdrawal bias | < 10% of patients withdrew after the index test |
| 7. Avoidance of study examination bias | < 10% of indeterminate or uninterpretable results |
| External validity | |
| 1. Avoidance of patient filtering bias | Selection criteria described, age and sex of patients reported |
| 2. Avoidance of spectrum bias | All stages of disease |
| 3. Avoidance of selection bias | Consecutive series of patients |
| 4. Standard execution of index test | Application of the same hardware and imaging protocol in all patients |
| 5. Avoidance of observer variability bias | Interpreter(s) of index test described |