Takayuki Yamada MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Tadashi Ishibashi MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mioko Saito MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shin Usami MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Akihiko Suzuki MD,PHD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shoki Takahashi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Phase contrast mammography (PCM) is a novel modality to improve the image quality of computed radiography (CR). The purpose was to investigate whether phase contrast mammography (PCM) is better than screen-film mammography (SFM) and computed radiography in breast lesion characterization.

Fifty two specimen radiographs were obtained by means of breast conserving surgery from January 2004 to December 2005. All lesions were proven as breast cancer histopathologically. The preoperative mammographic findings consisted of mass or other findings in 31 cases, and microcalcifications in 21 cases. They all were the cases with BIRADS 4/5. The specimen radiographs with PCM and CR were printed on hard copy films. The parameters of radiation exposure were set within the range of routine clinical use. The specimen radiograph with SFM was obtained at first and the specimen radiograph with CR was subsequently obtained with same radiation parameters. Then, the parameters with PCM were manually set for radiation dose to be comparable with SFM and CR. The positioning of the specimen was also comparable. Four mammographers experienced in breast imaging analyzed three sets of images and characterized the lesions on a 7-point (1 to 7) and continuous point (0 to 100) malignancy scales. They independently observed each single radiograph of total 156 images in random order. Multicomparison analysis of mean scores on both a 7-point and a continuous point malignancy scales was performed.

There was no significant difference of scores among PCM, SFM and CR on a 7-point malignancy scale (p=0.260 and 0.219; Kruskal-Wallis test). The mean scores of continuous point malignancy scale on PCM, SFM and CR were 71.96, 69.11 and 68.99, respectively. The scores of PCM tended to be better; however, there was no significant difference (Analysis of variance, p=0.344).

The results demonstrate that PCM is similar to SFM and CR in breast lesion characterization on hard-copy films.

Phase contrast mammography has similar ability to SFM and CR in characterizing the breast suspicous lesions on hard-copy films.

Yamada, T, Ishibashi, T, Saito, M, Usami, S, Suzuki, A, Takahashi, S, Comparison of Specimen Radiographs with Phase Contrast Mammography, Computed Radiography, and Screen-film Mammography in Lesion Characterization on Hard-copy Films.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5003345.html