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Breast density: Computerized analysis on digitized mammograms

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Hellenic Journal of Surgery

Abstract

Aim-Background

Mammographically dense breast tissue is related to a higher risk of breast cancer. We aim to evaluate a computerized system, assess whether it can provide an accurate and objective estimation of the breast density and if it can accurately classify the mammograms according to the ACR/BIRADS system.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the mediolateral oblique (MLO) and cranial-caudal (CC) views of 83 normal mammograms and classified them, both manually and with the use of computerized texture analysis (CTA), according to their density. We grouped the mammograms either into two (ACR 1–2, ACR 3–4) or four categories (ACR 1 to 4). An inter-rater reliability analysis was performed using the kappa statistic to determine consistency among the radiologist and the CTA.

Results

The best matching was observed for the MLO view when the classification involved 2 groups (94%). The equivalent matching for the CC view was 92.8%. When we used all 4 ACR categories the matching was lower: i.e. 84.3% for the MLO view and 79.5% for the CC view. For older patients (>50 years old) the best matching was for the MLO views while for the younger patients equal matching was observed for both views. Overall, substantial to almost perfect agreement was observed between the two methods of assessment.

Conclusion

CTA is a reliable and accurate form of computerized assisted diagnosis. If a single view is to be used, it should be the MLO view since the addition of CC view does not seem improve the sensitivity of the method.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Department, Thriassio Hospital Athens, Athens, Greece

    A. Papaevangelou

  2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    S. Chatzistergos & K. S. Nikita

  3. First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Hippokratio Hospital, Medical School University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    G. Zografos

Authors
  1. A. Papaevangelou
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  2. S. Chatzistergos
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  3. K. S. Nikita
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  4. G. Zografos
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Correspondence to A. Papaevangelou.

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Papaevangelou, A., Chatzistergos, S., Nikita, K.S. et al. Breast density: Computerized analysis on digitized mammograms. Hellenic J Surg 83, 133–138 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-011-0027-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-011-0027-0

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