Mp. Callaway et al., THE INFLUENCE OF PREVIOUS FILMS ON SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION AND DETECTION OF BREAST-CARCINOMA, Clinical Radiology, 52(7), 1997, pp. 527-529
Aim: To establish if the availability of previous mammograms improves
the detection rate of carcinomas and reduces supplementary examination
s in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP).
Method: Eight radiologists with varying experience but an interest in
reporting mammograms reported 100 mammograms on two occasions, at leas
t 1 month apart, In this selection of 100 mammograms we randomly inser
ted 12 abnormal films, with both benign and malignant changes present,
These were chosen retrospectively with histological correlation of th
e abnormality. On the first occasion only the current films were revie
wed, however, on the second occasion previous films mere available for
comparison, The films were viewed under standard viewing conditions,
and the participants mere asked to comment if they required further vi
ews or would refer the patient for either an ultrasound examination or
surgical referral. Results: Receiver operating curves (ROC) mere cons
tructed for the group's overall performance on each of the occasions a
nd there was no difference in the curves, This indicates that the pres
ence of previous films did not improve diagnostic accuracy, The presen
ce of previous films did, however, lead to a significant reduction in
the number of additional views and ultrasound examinations that mould
have been requested, The most significant reductions occurred in the g
roup of normal mammograms. Conclusion: The presence of previous mammog
rams does not lead to an improvement in diagnostic accuracy, However,
the presence of previous films led to significant reduction in additio
nal examinations and ultrasound examinations.