Comments on: When Experts Go Blind

By: sumaira

sumaira — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:37:02 +0000

Although i spotted the gorilla the first time around i agree with the results of the study. Radiologists often are afflicted with a tunnel vision. A case like this is a good reminder that all possibilities should be born in mind and all corners of the film noticed when interpreting films.

By: L F

L F — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:06:11 +0000

This illustrates the importance of the referring doctor explaining the reason for the exam (so the radiologist knows what to look for), a practice often neglected, and for which the requesting MD is not held accountable for, in spite of the fact that it is standard accepted procedure.

By: AA

AA — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:37:04 +0000

Re: E@L: Right lower lobe, I believe

By: E@L

E@L — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:55:42 +0000

I hope someone noticed the nodule in the periphery of the right middle lobe.

By: Dustan D

Dustan D — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:36:22 +0000

The title made me wonder how a radiologist would spot a gorilla by its CT image, after all, an ape’s lungs look a lot like a humans. This errant thought led me quite far away from actually seeing the gorilla. I spent more than a minute looking for clues in the comparative anatomy – gorilla’s have more muscle mass, ‘leggy’ arms, broader chests… the image looked like a chip or bonobo’s CT but not a gorilla’s. How would non-vet radiologist notice?
Then I read the article and instantly saw the gorilla.

By: Ralph Dratman

Ralph Dratman — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:26:02 +0000

Virginia, bear in mind that appropriate screening and early detection are the keys to successful treatment. Recent developments in the lab, some as yet unpublished, suggest we may soon have a sensitive, reasonably priced screening assay for protein-bound gorilla juice.

By: Virginia Hughes

Virginia Hughes — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:22:30 +0000

Ralph, your comment made me LOL. Thanks for reading.

By: Ralph Dratman

Ralph Dratman — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:20:14 +0000

Solitary gorillas found in the lung are almost always benign. A few cause minor irritation and are eventually coughed out or resorbed without sequelae.

Bilateral gorillas, on the other hand, are cause for concern and should be watched carefully.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:59:40 +0000

Balanced report. Perhaps another point that should tie to other research on attention, is that should we want the radiologists to scan for some other disease or injury, it may mean necessary reframing of their task. Maybe retraining or a different mental set?

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:30:44 +0000

Its a good experiment that the doctors are trained well and know what to look for without getting distracted.