Study: Specialists More Accurate at Reading Mammograms

Results of a recent study show that breast-imaging specialists are more efficient than general radiologists at reading mammograms, according to Brown Medical School researchers.

Dr. Martha Mainiero reported at the American Roentgen Ray Society annual meeting on a two-year study in which more than 50,000 screening mammograms were interpreted by a combination of general radiologists and specialists.

During the first year of the study, when only seven of the 37 participating radiologists were specialists, the average call back rate was 11 percent.

During the second year, when the group of participants was narrowed to ten radiologists including the same seven specialists, the call back rate was only 8 percent.

"The call back rate was significantly lower in the second year, when there was a higher proportion of specialists reading mammograms," Mainiero reported. She said the study suggests that "if practices are large enough to have people with more experience reading mammograms, it is more efficient for the practice and the patient."

Other sources: American Roentgen Ray Society