Detection of Microcalcifications on Digital Screening Mammograms Using Varying Degrees of Monitor Zooming

OBJECTIVE. The American College of Radiology recommends that mammogram images be viewed at 100% resolution (also called one-to-one or full resolution). We tested the effect of this and three other levels of zooming on the ability of radiologists to identify malignant calcifications on screening mammographic views. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Seven breast imagers viewed 77 mammographic images, 32 with and 45 without malignant microcalcifications, using four different degrees of monitor zooming. The readers indicated whether they thought a cluster of potentially malignant calcifications was present and where the cluster was located. Tested degrees of zooming included fit screen, a size midway between fit screen and 100%, 100%, and a size slightly larger than 100%. RESULTS. Readers failed to detect 17 clusters of malignant calcifications with fit-screen images, 12 clusters with midway images, 13 clusters with 100% images, and 11 clusters with slightly larger images. When viewing images without malignant microcalc...