J Korean Radiol Soc.  1996 Jan;34(1):133-137.

Interobserver Variation in Interpretation of Mammograms: Focused on Findings Suggestive of Malignancy

• Cho SY
• Choi CS
• Kim HC
• Choi MH
• Kim EA
• Bae SH
• Kung SN

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the inter observer variation in interpretation of the mammographic findings suggesting malignancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty-two mammograms of proven breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed by5 radiologists based on the 15 findings that suggest malignancy. Using kappa value, the degree of interobserver agreement was calculated.
RESULTS
There were fair to excellent interobserver agreements for 5 findings which were clustered microcalcifications(k=0.7642), ductal calcifications (k=0.5463), lobulated mass(k=0.4539), asymmetric breast parenchyma (k=0.4487) and nipple retraction(k=0.4061). The finding in which kappa value was lessthan 0.2 were intramammary lymph node(k=0.1572), duct ectasia(k=0.1453), phleomorphic calcifications(k=0.1309), architectural distortion(k=0.1247) and stellate mass(k=0.0200).
CONCLUSION
The most reliable finding suggesting breast cancer was clustered microcalcifications.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms, diagnosis; Breast radiography

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Nipples
Observer Variation*
Retrospective Studies