QUADAS-2 Assessments

Table E-1. QUADAS-2 assessments of ultrasound accuracy studies

Table E-2. QUADAS-2 assessments of MRI accuracy studies

Table E-3. QUADAS-2 assessments of other accuracy technique studies

Risk of Bias and Quality

Per the methods of the QUADAS-2, a risk of bias (ROB) score was calculated for each of the four domains assessed in the evaluation of each study: patient selection, index test (imaging technique), reference standard (surgical verification technique), and flow and timing. Each domain could receive a rating of high, low, or unclear ROB.

For the patient selection, index test, and flow and timing domains, a “Yes” response to all individual items was necessary to receive a low ROB assessment. One answer of “No” or “Unclear” for any individual item within these three domains resulted in an assessment of high ROB.

The QUADAS-2 ROB assessments were then converted into the AHRQ quality standards of good, fair, and poor using the following criteria:

• Good quality = an assessment of low ROB for all four domains
• Fair quality = an assessment of high ROB for one domain
• Poor quality = an assessment of high ROB for two or more domains

The quality and ROB assessments for each study are presented below (Tables E-4–E-6), separated by imaging technique.

Table E-4. ROB and quality scores of ultrasound accuracy studies

Table E-5. ROB and quality scores of MRI accuracy studies

Table E-6. ROB and quality scores of other accuracy technique studies

Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials

Table E-7. Quality ratings for randomized control trials included in Key Question 2

Table E-8. Quality ratings for randomized control trials included in Key Question 3

Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Cohort Studies

Table E-9. Quality ratings for cohort studies included in Key Question 1b

Table E-10. Quality ratings for cohort studies included in Key Question 2

Table E-11. Quality ratings for cohort studies included in Key Question 3

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