Min Jung Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eun-Kyung Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Soo Jin Kim, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jin Young Kwak MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eun Ju Son MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ji Hyun Youk MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ki Keun Oh MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine whether the interpretation of microcalcifications on images zoomed from the digital contact mammogram in patients with microcalcifications is at least equivalent to the interpretation of the same on digital magnification mammography, with respect to diagnostic accuracy and imaging quality.

Three radiologists with different levels of experience in mammography, reviewed one-hundred and twenty microcalcification clusters in 111 patients with full field digital mammography (FFDM) system; digital magnification mammogram (factor 1.8;MAG) and images zoomed from the contract mammogram (ZOOM) with a magnification factor of 1.8. And they provided a level of suspicion concerning probability of malignancy and imaging quality with confidence rate. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of ZOOM images were compared with those of MAG images. A 9-point Likert scale was used to compare image quality.

For all reviewers, MAG images were the better than ZOOM images in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value (average value; 92% vs 87 % in sensitivity and 96% vs 94% in negative predictive value). These difference were statistically significant (P<0.05). In terms of confidence rate for diagnosis decision and the assessment of image quality, MAG images were also better than ZOOM images with statistical significance(P<0.0001).

The performance of the radiologists with respect to the characterization of microcalcifications was significantly improved with digital magnification mammography, and the digital magnification mammography gave the readers more confidence for their decision and better quality of image.

The digital contact mammography with zooming process could not be an alternative to direct magnification mammography and direct magnification is recommend in patients with microcalcification

Kim, M, Kim, E, Kim, S, Kwak, J, Son, E, Youk, J, Oh, K, Can Digital Monitor Zooming Replace Magnification Mammography in Digital Full-field Mammography?.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5012344.html