[Comparing the clinical value of spot view mammography with reduced pixel size to monitor zooming by reporting microcalcifications in digital mammography].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of breast specimen imaging with a digital mammographic system using a detector system with changeable pixel size compared to standard mode imaging in different monitor display modes.


METHODS
Using the digital mammographic system SenoScan (Fischer Imaging, Denver, USA), 50 diagnostic breast specimens with microcalcifications were visualized in both standard mode (pixel size 54 microm) and high resolution mode (pixel size 27 microm). The resulting radiographs were displayed 1:1 on a monitor. Standard mode images (pixel size 54 microm) were additionally displayed in a 2:1 mode. A total of 5 readers with different mammographic experience analyzed the type of the microcalcifications on the basis of the different display modes. The images were presented randomly. The findings were subsequently compared to the histology.


RESULTS
The high resolution mode yielded slightly but not significantly better results than the standard mode on average for all 5 readers. Compared to a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of 72 % (PPV = 74 %, NPV = 78 %) in the standard mode, the high resolution mode provided a sensitivity of 86 % and a specificity of 74 % (PPV = 77 %, NPV = 83 %). The standard mode images on a 2:1 monitor display yielded 84 % and 74 % (PPV = 76 %, NPV = 82 %).


CONCLUSIONS
The high resolution mode did not significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity of the microcalcification reading. A similar improvement was achieved by the 2:1 display mode, i. e. digital monitor zooming. For the clinical situation this means that there is no diagnostic advantage from using a high resolution target view with this mammographic system.
Schulz-Wendtland
R
R
Radiologisches Institut--Gynäkologische Radiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. ruediger.schulz-wendtland@idr.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Hermann
K-P
KP
Wenkel
E
E
Adamietz
B
B
Lell
M
M
Böhner
C
C
Uder
M
M
Bautz
W A
WA
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*