A new full-field digital mammography system with and without the use of an advanced post-processing algorithm: comparison of image quality and diagnostic performance.
OBJECTIVE
To compare new full-field digital mammography (FFDM) with and without use of an advanced post-processing algorithm to improve image quality, lesion detection, diagnostic performance, and priority rank.


METHODS
During a 22-month period, we prospectively enrolled 100 cases of specimen FFDM mammography (Brestige®), which was performed alone or in combination with a post-processing algorithm developed by the manufacturer: group A (SMA), specimen mammography without application of "Mammogram enhancement ver. 2.0"; group B (SMB), specimen mammography with application of "Mammogram enhancement ver. 2.0". Two sets of specimen mammographies were randomly reviewed by five experienced radiologists. Image quality, lesion detection, diagnostic performance, and priority rank with regard to image preference were evaluated.


RESULTS
Three aspects of image quality (overall quality, contrast, and noise) of the SMB were significantly superior to those of SMA (p < 0.05). SMB was significantly superior to SMA for visualizing calcifications (p < 0.05). Diagnostic performance, as evaluated by cancer score, was similar between SMA and SMB. SMB was preferred to SMA by four of the five reviewers.


CONCLUSIONS
The post-processing algorithm may improve image quality with better image preference in FFDM than without use of the software.
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea. ; Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul 156-755, Korea.
Hye Shin
HS
Ahn
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea.
Sun Mi
SM
Kim
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea.
Mijung
M
Jang
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea.
Bo La
BL
Yun
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea.
Bohyoung
B
Kim
Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
Eun Sook
ES
Ko
Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
Boo-Kyung
BK
Han
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Jung Min
JM
Chang
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Ann
A
Yi
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Nariya
N
Cho
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Woo Kyung
WK
Moon
Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 660-702, Korea.
Hye Young
HY
Choi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software
Breast; Comparison; Digital mammography; FFDM; Image quality; Post-processing algorithm