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Updated: Oct 3, 2026
Detection of Architectural Distortion in Prior Mammograms via Analysis of Oriented Patterns
Published on: August 30, 2013
Mammography in 53,803 women from the New Hampshire mammography network
S P Poplack1, A N Tosteson, M R Grove
1Departments of Radiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Dr, HB 7999, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. steven.p.poplack@hitchcock.org
Purpose:
To describe measures of mammography performance in a geographically defined population and evaluate the interpreter's use of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS).
Materials And Methods:
Mammographic data from 47,651 screening and 6,152 diagnostic examinations from November 1, 1996, to October 31, 1997, were linked to 1,572 pathologic results. Mammographic outcomes were based on BI-RADS assessments and recommendations reported by the interpreting radiologist. The consistency of BI-RADS recommendations was evaluated.
Results:
Screening mammography had a sensitivity of 72.4% (95% CI: 66.4%, 78.4%), specificity of 97.3% (95% CI: 97.25%, 97.4%), and positive predictive value of 10.6% (95% CI: 9.1%, 12.2%). Diagnostic mammography had higher sensitivity, 78.1% (95% CI: 71.9%, 84.3%); lower specificity, 89.3% (95% CI: 88.5%, 90.1%); and better positive predictive value, 17.1% (95% CI: 14.5%, 19.8%). The cancer detection rate with screening mammography was 3.3 per 1,000 women, with a biopsy yield of 22.4%, whereas the interval cancer rate was 1. 2 per 1,000. Nearly 80% of screening-detected invasive malignancies were node negative. The recall rate for screening mammography was 8. 3%. Ultrasonography was used in 3.5% of screening and 17.5% of diagnostic examinations. BI-RADS recommendations were generally consistent, except for probably benign assessments.
Conclusion:
The sensitivity of screening mammography in this population-based sample is lower than expected, although other performance indicators are commendable. BI-RADS "probably benign" assessments are commonly misused.
