Breast density assessment varies among radiologists

Sprangue et al published in Annals of Internal Medicine the findings of their study that suggests that radiologists often do not agree on what qualifies as dense breast.

The investigators looked at 216,783 mammograms from 145,123 women aged 40 to 89 years that were interpreted by 83 radiologists in 30 radiology facilities in 4 States.

Overall, 36.9% of mammograms were rated as showing dense breasts. Across radiologists, this percentage ranged from 6.3% to 84.5% (median, 38.7%). Examination of patient subgroups revealed that variation in density assessment across radiologists was pervasive in all but the most extreme patient age and BMI combinations. Among women who had consecutive mammograms interpreted by different radiologists, 17.2% (5909 of 34 271) of them suggested different density rating on the two tests.

The authors concluded because there is wide variation in density assessment across radiologists it is a fact should be carefully considered by providers and policymakers when considering supplemental screening strategies.