Computer-aided detection of breast cancer using an ultra high-resolution liquid crystal display: Reading session analysis

Abstract

We performed a reading session to examine the validity of computer-aided detection for mammograms using a 3-megapixel liquid crystal display (LCD). Digital mammograms of 225 patients (ROLAD M-IV and FCR9000, 100 μ/pixel), were divided into 3 data sets (each set consisting of 75 patients, including 30 with pathologically proven breast cancer) for this reading session. Fifteen physicians interpreted these three data set using 3 different imaging modalities; hard copy, LCD without computer-aided detection (CAD), and LCD with CAD. Then they categorized the images into 4 ranks according to the confidential levels of cancer. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated individually for each of the 3 different modalities, and then ROC analysis was performed. The sensitivity, specificity, and Az values showed no significant differences between LCD with out CAD and hard copy. Also, no significant differences were found between LCD with CAD and the other modalities for these 3 values. The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable to use a 3-megapixel LCD for interpretation of digital mammograms instead of conventional hard copy. Nevertheless, because the usefulness of the CAD system has not been fully ascertained, further studies are required. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.