[Digital mammography: experiences in its clinical application].
OBJECTIVE
In 1989 in the Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne conventional film-screen mammography was replaced by digital mammography. With the support of a retrospective study, it was checked whether or not digital mammography represents an equally valid diagnostic procedure in daily routine.


METHODS
1204 patients were examined using digital mammography. A reevaluation of these patients was carried out using clinical and radiological routine controls. Additionally a radiological and histological examination was performed in 127 cases in which excisional biopsies had been done, paying particular attention to detail perception.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of digital mammography achieved a total of 85%, whereas the accuracy was 81%. With additional use of ultrasound and galactography the sensitivity attained 91%. By reevaluation the sensitivity amounted to 87%, the accuracy remaining at 81%. The positive predictive value was especially high with 76% and 77%.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital mammography offers satisfactory diagnostic performance.
Schönhofen
H
H
Kantonsspital Luzern, Diagnostiche Radiologie.
Arnold
W
W
Hess
T
T
Allgayer
B
B
D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005687:Galactorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity