Time to Diagnosis and Performance Levels during Repeat Interpretations of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: Preliminary Observations

Rationale and Objectives To compare time to interpretation and diagnostic performance levels during repeat readings of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in a retrospective study. Materials and Methods Three experienced radiologists twice interpreted 125 selected examinations, 35 with verified cancers and 90 negative for cancer during a period of 22 months using FFDM alone followed by a combined FFDM + DBT mode. Changes in time to “review and rate” these examinations as well as in diagnostic performance levels where assessed. A fixed-effect analysis accounting for cross-correlation due to the review of the same examinations by the same readers was performed. Results The total (combined) time to review and rate an examination increased on average by 33% between the first and second readings of the same examinations ( P P Conclusion DBT-based breast imaging may ultimately result in a substantial increase in performance; however, without efficiency improvements DBT may take longer to interpret. Addition of “false-positive recalls” was most strongly associated with increase in interpretation time while elimination of “false-positive recalls” did not require longer interpretation time.