Reproducibility of mammographic parenchymal patterns and Breast Density on Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM): comparison of the two classification systems

• Main Authors: Hassan, Radhiana, Ab Rahman, Jamalludin, Zaini, Izwan Zanni, Abdulateef, Reem Mohammed Saeed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia 2015
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/39216/1/39216.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/39216/; http://iiumedic.net/imjm/v1/download/volume_14_supplement/IMJM-Vol-14-Supp-p04-Radhiana-Binti-Hassan.pdf

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare inter-observer agreement between general radiologists in the classification of mammographic breast density using TABAR’s pattern and BI-RADS classification from two-view Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM). Methods: A data set of 400 mammograms was evaluated by three general radiologists. The radiologists independently reviewed the images and classified the parenchymal pattern according to BI-RADS and TABAR classification systems. Inter-observer agreements were analyzed using kappa statistics. Results: Inter-observer agreement for the BI-RADS is slight to fair (Reviewer 1 versus Reviewer 2: k=0.19, Reviewer 1 versus Reviewer 3, k=0.07 and Reviewer 2 versus Reviewer 3, k=0.49) and for TABAR is fair to moderate (Reviewer 1 versus Reviewer 2: k=0.23, Reviewer 1 versus Reviewer 3, k=0.31 and Reviewer 2 versus Reviewer 3, k=0.50). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a poor level of agreement in breast parenchymal pattern and density based on both BI-RADS and TABAR classifications. Thus, breast density in risk stratification of breast cancer should be used with caution in our local practice.