Computer-aided detection of masses at mammography: interactive decision support versus prompts.

Purpose: To compare effectiveness of an interactive computer-aided detection (CAD) system, in which CAD marks and their associated suspiciousness scores remain hidden unless their location is queried by the reader, with the effect of traditional CAD prompts used in current clinical practice for the detection of malignant masses on full-field digital mammograms.

Materials And Methods: The requirement for institutional review board approval was waived for this retrospective observer study. Nine certified screening radiologists and three residents who were trained in breast imaging read 200 studies (63 studies containing at least one screen-detected mass, 17 false-negative studies, 20 false-positive studies, and 100 normal studies) twice, once with CAD prompts and once with interactive CAD.

Standalone computer-aided detection compared to radiologists' performance for the detection of mammographic masses.

Objectives: We developed a computer-aided detection (CAD) system aimed at decision support for detection of malignant masses and architectural distortions in mammograms. The effect of this system on radiologists' performance depends strongly on its standalone performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the standalone performance of this CAD system to that of radiologists.

Increase in perceived case suspiciousness due to local contrast optimisation in digital screening mammography.

Objectives: To determine the influence of local contrast optimisation on diagnostic accuracy and perceived suspiciousness of digital screening mammograms.

Methods: Data were collected from a screening region in the Netherlands and consisted of 263 digital screening cases (153 recalled,110 normal). Each case was available twice, once processed with a tissue equalisation (TE) algorithm and once with local contrast optimisation (PV).

Consequences of digital mammography in population-based breast cancer screening: initial changes and long-term impact on referral rates.

Objectives: To investigate the referral pattern after the transition to full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in a population-based breast cancer screening programme.

Methods: Preceding the nationwide digitalisation of the Dutch screening programme, an FFDM feasibility study was conducted. Detection and referral rates for FFDM and screen-film mammography (SFM) were compared for first and subsequent screens.

Breast cancer screening results 5 years after introduction of digital mammography in a population-based screening program.

Purpose: To compare full-field digital mammography (FFDM) using computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) with screen-film mammography (SFM) in a population-based breast cancer screening program for initial and subsequent screening examinations.

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by the regional medical ethics review board. Informed consent was not required.

Breast arterial calcifications are correlated with subsequent development of coronary artery calcifications, but their aetiology is predominantly different.

Objective: To study whether calcifications in breast arteries, as seen on mammograms, predict future development of coronary artery calcifications.

Methods: We studied 499 women, aged 49-70 years, participating in a breast cancer screening program and investigated whether arterial calcifications in the breast (BAC) are associated with coronary arterial calcifications (CAC) after 9 years follow-up. Mammograms were reviewed for the presence of BAC.

Importance of comparison of current and prior mammograms in breast cancer screening.

Purpose: To retrospectively determine the influence of comparing current mammograms with prior mammograms on breast cancer detection in screening and to investigate a protocol in which prior mammograms are viewed only when necessary.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was not required. Participants gave written informed consent.

Vitamin K intake and calcifications in breast arteries.

Objectives: Vitamin K is an important co-factor in the production of proteins that inhibit vascular calcification. A low dietary Vitamin K intake has been associated with aortic and coronary calcifications and an elevated cardiovascular risk. Calcifications in the arteries of the breasts have also been associated with cardiovascular risk, but whether there is a relation with a low Vitamin K intake has not yet been studied.

Arterial calcifications seen on mammograms: cardiovascular risk factors, pregnancy, and lactation.

Purpose: To retrospectively assess if mammographic calcium deposits are related to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and reproductive factors in a subset of women participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study.

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by the institutional review board of the University Medical Center Utrecht; informed consent was obtained. Mammograms were evaluated by two radiologists for the presence of breast arterial calcifications (BAC) in the Prospect cohort, a breast cancer screening population of women aged 49-70 years (mean, 57 years) within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study.