[Computer-aided segmentation, form analysis and classification of 2975 breast microcalcifications using 7-fold microfocus magnification mammography].
OBJECTIVE
To classify mammary microcalcifications for the prediction of malignancy by using computer-aided analysis of morphometric characteristics.


METHODS
Seven-fold microfocus magnification radiography (direct magnification) was performed on 2975 paraffin embedded microcalcifications. After digitization of the radiographic films and segmentation of the microcalcifications, the morphometric characteristics, such as circumference, surface and polar transformation with determination of the greatest and smallest radius, were measured. Using the classification and regression tree (CART) statistical analysis program, the calcifications were classified by computer on the basis of the morphometric characteristics and the known histological result.


RESULTS
Benign conditions were essentially represented by small round calcifications with a greatest radius of < or = 114.2 microm, a smallest radius of > 18.5 microm and a circumference of < or = 462.3 microm. Using > 70 % microcalcifications classified in a patient by the computer as "malignant," CART increases the frequency of malignant conditions, with the diagnostic separation between benign and malignant at an Az value (surface below the ROC curve) of 0.7863.


CONCLUSIONS
A computer-assisted classification of individual microcalcifications on the basis of morphometric characteristics can supplement the information for a computer assisted mammographic diagnosis (CAD).
Grunert
J-H
JH
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Radiologie II, Oststadtkrankenhaus Hannover. grunertjh@gmx.de
Khalifa
R
R
Gmelin
E
E
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D011858:Radiographic Magnification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity