False Positive Marks on Unsuspicious Screening Mammography with Computer-Aided Detection

The contribution of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems as an interpretive aid in screening mammography can be hampered by a high rate of false positive detections. Specificity, false positive rate, and ease of dismissing false positive marks from two CAD systems are retrospectively evaluated. One hundred screening mammographic studies with a BI-RADS assessment code of 1 or 2 and at least 2-year normal mammographic follow-up were retrospectively reviewed using two CAD systems. Breast density, CAD marks, and radiologist's ease of dismissing false positive marks were recorded. Specificities from the two CAD versions considering all marks were 23% and 15% (p value = 0.07); mass marks, 35% and 17% (p value < 0.01); and calcification marks 62% and 75% (p value = 0.01). The two CAD versions did not differ regarding mean and median marks per case for all marks (2.3, 2.0 and 2.3, 2.0, p value = 0.65) or mass marks (1.6, 1.0 and 1.8, 2.0, p value = 0.15), but differed for calcification marks (0.8, 0 and 0.5, 0, p value < 0.01). Slightly higher specificity and fewer marks per case observed in dense breasts did not reach statistical significance. The reviewing radiologist classified most marks from both CAD systems (84% and 88%) as very easy/easy to dismiss. The two CAD versions had small differences in specificity and false positive marks. Differences, although not statistically significant, in specificities and false positive rates between dense and non-dense breasts warrant further research. Most false positive marks are easily dismissed and should not affect clinical performance.