title: Effects of delayed processing on mammographic phantom object detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Delayed processing of films is a common occurrence in mobile mammography screening programs. The effects of such delayed processing on radiologists' detection of phantom test objects are investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve screen-film combinations were exposed using a phantom and developed after delays of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days. Films were scored by three board-certified radiologists specializing in mammography, based on visibility of calcifications, masses, fibrils, and line pairs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variance analyses of mean scores indicate that, across screen-film combinations, there are no statistically significant decreases in object detection associated with delayed processing. The analyses do indicate, however, a statistically significant difference in scores unrelated to delay, attributable to the screen-film combination used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delayed processing of mammography film does not lead to a decrease in the visibility of phantom test objects, despite large decreases in overall image optical density.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill 27599-7510.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Braeuning
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dicke
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008961:Models, Structural; D015588:Observer Variation; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens / Q000706:statistics & numerical data