Interpretation of mammographic breast microcalcification: interobserver variability between radiologists and mammographers and analysis of best mammographic predictors of histopathological outcomes
LS Naidu, A Kukula, P Sentance, B Baxter, R Jones · Breast Cancer Research · 2006
Interobserver agreement was moderate to good for distribution, moderate for the shape, moderate for final analysis category, poor for morphology, poor for variation in density of MC and poor for category on more MC on magnification. There is a significant difference in determining the benign nature of MC and the overall differentiation of MC between radiologists and mammographers favouring radiologists. There is no significant difference between them in determining malignant MC. The best predictors of histopathology were the morphology ( P < 0.0001), distribution ( P < 0.0042) and number of MCs ( P < 0.013). There is moderate interobserver variability in assessment of the final analysis category (benign vs malignant). The radiologists are significantly better than mammographers in determining the benign nature and overall assessment but not significantly better at determining definite malignancy. The morphology, distribution and number of MCs are the best predictors of histopathological outcome.