Skip to main content
Log in

One-to-one comparison between digital spot compression view and digital breast tomosynthesis

  • Breast
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To assess if digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is at least equal to digital spot compression view (DSCV).

Methods

Following institutional approval and written informed consent, both DBT and DSCV were obtained in women with a screening abnormality. The diagnostic accuracy of DBT and DSCV was evaluated by two radiologists of varying experience (Reader1 and Reader2).

Results

52 consecutive recalled women without calcification (mean age: 51 ± 12 years) underwent DSCV and DBT. Overall sensitivity was equal for both techniques (100% [95% CI, 91–100%] for DBT and 100% [95% CI, 91–100%] for DSCV). Overall specificity was higher for DBT (100% [95%CI, 91–100%]) than for DSCV (94% [95% CI, 91–100%]). Specificity for DSCV was higher for Reader1 (95% [95% CI, 91–100%]). Reader2 had lower values of specificity (92% [95% CI, 90–92%]). On DSCV, three and two false positives were recorded by Reader2 and Reader1, respectively. Overall, the area under the curve (AUC) was greater for DBT (AUC = 1) than for DSCV (AUC = 0.963). The mean difference between the two techniques was not significantly different (P = 0.43).

Conclusion

In this dataset, diagnostic accuracy of digital breast tomosynthesis is at least equal to that of digital spot compression.

Key Points

Digital spot compression views (DSCVs) are often needed in breast screening programmes.

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) now offers an alternative to DSCV

In recalls without calcification, DBT was at least equally accurate as DSCVs

DBT has a lower mean glandular dose than DSCVs

Thus DBT has the potential to help reduce the recall rate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig.2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  1. Minog H, Tennant JC, Youker JE (1968) Coning and breast compression: an aid in mammographic diagnosis. Radiology 91:379–380

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berkowitz JE, Gatewood OM, Gayler BW (1989) Equivocal mammographic findings: evaluation with spot compression. Radiology 171:369–371

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sickles EA (1989) Combining spot-compression and other special views to maximize mammographic information. Radiology 173:571

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Heywang-Köbrunner SH, Dershaw DD, Schreer I (2001) Mammography. In: Diagnostic breast imaging: mammography, sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and interventional procedures, 2nd enlarged and revised edn. Thieme, Stuttgart New York, pp 14–83.

  5. Harvey JA, Nicholson BT, Cohen MA (2008) Finding early invasive breast cancers: a practical approach. Radiology 248:61–76

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Gur D, Abrams GS, Chough DM et al (2009) Digital breast tomosynthesis: observer performance study. AJR Am J Roentgenol 193:586–591

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Poplack SP, Tosteson TD, Kogel CA, Nagy HM (2007) Digital breast tomosynthesis: initial experience in 98 women with abnormal digital screening mammography. Am J Roentgenol 189:616–623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Gennaro G, Toledano A, di Maggio C et al (2010) Digital breast tomosynthesis versus digital mammography: a clinical performance study. Eur Radiol 20:1545–1553

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Giess CS, Keating DM, Osborne MP, Ng YY, Rosenblatt R (1998) Retroareolar breast carcinoma: clinical, imaging, and histopathologic features. Radiology 207:669–673

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Spangler ML, Zuley ML, Sumkin JH et al (2011) Detection and classification of calcifications on digital breast tomosynthesis and 2D digital mammography: a comparison. AJR Am J Roentgenol 196:320–324

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Park JM, Franken EA Jr, Garg M, Fajardo LL, Niklason LT (2007) Breast tomosynthesis: present considerations and future applications. Radiographics 27:S231–S240

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services. http://www.euref.org. Accessed May 17, 2011.

  13. Dance DR, Young KC, van Engen RE (2011) Estimation of mean glandular dose for breast tomosynthesis: factors for use with the UK, European and IAEA breast dosimetry protocols. Phys Med Biol 56:453–471

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cavagnetto F, Bampi R, Calabrese M, Orlando B, Villa A, Taccini G (2011) Comparison of dose in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and full-field digital mammography (FFDM). Poster at ECR 2011. doi:10.1594/ecr2011/C-1997

  15. Cavagnetto F, Bampi R, Calabrese M, Chiesa F, Taccini G (2011) The use of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) in digital breast tomosynthesis. Poster at ECR 2011. doi:10.1594/ecr2011/C-1963

  16. American College of Radiology (2003) BI-RADS: mammography, 4th edn. In: Breast imaging reporting and data system: BI-RADS atlas. American College of Radiology, Reston

    Google Scholar 

  17. American College of Radiology (2003) BI-RADS: ultrasound, 1st edn. In: Breast imaging reporting and data system: BI-RADS atlas. American College of Radiology, Reston, VA, USA

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hakim CM, Chough DM, Ganott MA, Sumkin JH, Zuley ML, Gur D (2010) Digital breast tomosynthesis in the diagnostic environment: a subjective side-by-side review. AJR Am J Roentgenol 195:W172–176

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Gennaro G, Toledano A, di Maggio C et al (2010) Digital breast tomosynthesis versus digital mammography: a clinical performance study. Eur Radiol 20:1545–1553

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Teertstra HJ, Loo CE, van den Bosch MA et al (2010) Breast tomosynthesis in clinical practice: initial results. Eur Radiol 20:16–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alberto Tagliafico.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tagliafico, A., Astengo, D., Cavagnetto, F. et al. One-to-one comparison between digital spot compression view and digital breast tomosynthesis. Eur Radiol 22, 539–544 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2305-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2305-1

Keywords

Navigation