RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors developed a computerized method for the quantitative assessment of breast tissue composition on digitized mammograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists were asked to review 200 digitized mammograms and independently provide a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-like rating for breast tissue composition on a scale of 0 to 4. These values were incorporated into a "consensus" rating that was used as a reference point in the development and evaluation of a computerized method. After tissue segmentation that excluded nontissue areas, a set of quantitative features was computed. A computerized summary index that attempts to reproduce the radiologists' ratings was developed. Correlation coefficients (Pearson r) were used to compare the computerized index with the consensus ratings. RESULTS: Some individual features computed for the relatively dense breast areas showed good correlation (r > 0.8) with the radiologists' subjective ratings. The summary index of tissue composition demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.87), as well. CONCLUSION: Computerized methods that show good correlation with radiologists' ratings of breast tissue composition can be developed.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors developed a computerized method for the quantitative assessment of breast tissue composition on digitized mammograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists were asked to review 200 digitized mammograms and independently provide a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-like rating for breast tissue composition on a scale of 0 to 4. These values were incorporated into a "consensus" rating that was used as a reference point in the development and evaluation of a computerized method. After tissue segmentation that excluded nontissue areas, a set of quantitative features was computed. A computerized summary index that attempts to reproduce the radiologists' ratings was developed. Correlation coefficients (Pearson r) were used to compare the computerized index with the consensus ratings. RESULTS: Some individual features computed for the relatively dense breast areas showed good correlation (r > 0.8) with the radiologists' subjective ratings. The summary index of tissue composition demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.87), as well. CONCLUSION: Computerized methods that show good correlation with radiologists' ratings of breast tissue composition can be developed.
Authors: Macarena Garrido-Estepa; Francisco Ruiz-Perales; Josefa Miranda; Nieves Ascunce; Isabel González-Román; Carmen Sánchez-Contador; Carmen Santamariña; Pilar Moreo; Carmen Vidal; Mercé Peris; María P Moreno; Jose A Váquez-Carrete; Francisca Collado-García; Francisco Casanova; María Ederra; Dolores Salas; Marina Pollán Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2010-09-13 Impact factor: 4.430