Volumetric breast density estimation from full-field digital mammograms: a validation study.
OBJECTIVE
To objectively evaluate automatic volumetric breast density assessment in Full-Field Digital Mammograms (FFDM) using measurements obtained from breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).


METHODS
A commercially available method for volumetric breast density estimation on FFDM is evaluated by comparing volume estimates obtained from 186 FFDM exams including mediolateral oblique (MLO) and cranial-caudal (CC) views to objective reference standard measurements obtained from MRI.


RESULTS
Volumetric measurements obtained from FFDM show high correlation with MRI data. Pearson's correlation coefficients of 0.93, 0.97 and 0.85 were obtained for volumetric breast density, breast volume and fibroglandular tissue volume, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate volumetric breast density assessment is feasible in Full-Field Digital Mammograms and has potential to be used in objective breast cancer risk models and personalized screening.
Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain ; Department of Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Albert
A
Gubern-Mérida
Department of Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Michiel
M
Kallenberg
Department of Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Bram
B
Platel
Department of Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Ritse M
RM
Mann
Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
Robert
R
Martí
Department of Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Nico
N
Karssemeijer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D055815:Young Adult