Interpretation of digital mammograms: comparison of speed and accuracy of soft-copy versus printed-film display.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the speed and accuracy of the interpretations of digital mammograms by radiologists by using printed-film versus soft-copy display.


METHODS
After being trained in interpretation of digital mammograms, eight radiologists interpreted 63 digital mammograms, all with old studies for comparison. All studies were interpreted by all readers in soft-copy and printed-film display, with interpretations of images in the same cases at least 1 month apart. Mammograms were interpreted in cases that included six biopsy-proved cancers and 20 biopsy-proved benign lesions, 20 cases of probably benign findings in patients who underwent 6-month follow-up, and 17 cases without apparent findings. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (A(z)), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated for soft-copy and printed-film display.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the speed of interpretation, but interpretations with soft-copy display were slightly faster. The differences in A(z), sensitivity, and specificity were not significantly different; A(z) and sensitivity were slightly better for interpretations with printed film, and specificity was slightly better for interpretations with soft copy.


CONCLUSIONS
Interpretation with soft-copy display is likely to be useful with digital mammography and is unlikely to significantly change accuracy or speed.
Pisano
Etta D
ED
Dept of Radiology, Univ of North Carolina School of Med, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7510, USA. etta_pisano@med.unc.edu
Cole
Elodia B
EB
Kistner
Emily O
EO
Muller
Keith E
KE
Hemminger
Bradley M
BM
Brown
Mary L
ML
Johnston
R Eugene
RE
Kuzmiak
Cherie M
CM
Braeuning
M Patricia
MP
Freimanis
Rita I
RI
Soo
Mary Scott
MS
Baker
J A
JA
Walsh
Ruth
R
D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D012372:ROC Curve; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014962:X-Ray Film