Mechanical standardisation of mammographic compression using Volpara software

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of compressed breast thickness, applied force, and pressure distribution in screening mammography

“…The results show that radiographers are not consistent in the application of compression force, which is consistent with previous studies in the contexts of mammographic screening and diagnostic mammography, which found variations in compression forces applied by radiographers within [10][11][12][13][14] and between different breast clinics. 9,[13][14][15][16] The lack of objective and evidence-based guidelines regarding breast compression necessitates subjective judgments based on the interpretation and experience of the radiographer, 18 which may explain the results.…”

“…The sample size of the study was small, but our results are in agreement with previous findings. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][21][22][23] A follow-up study including a larger sample of women of screening age would be valuable and could also allow sub-group analyses based on, for example, breast size and density.…”

“…7 Furthermore, for the individual woman, an equivalent degree of breast compression over consecutive rounds of screening is important to facilitate correct diagnosis by allowing radiologists to more easily track parenchymal changes. 8 Studies have shown that there are variations in how breast compression is applied by different radiographers, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] but the extent to which breast compression is reproducible for a given woman between screening rounds and how that may affect the interpretation of mammography is unknown.…”

“…Breast compression has been investigated in terms of the use of compression force, compression pressure, and compressed breast thickness, 8 and several studies have shown that the execution of breast compression varies among radiographers. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] A longitudinal mammogram assessment of three consecutive screening rounds at a breast center in the United Kingdom showed a significant variation in applied compression forces. 10 Other studies conducted in the contexts of mammographic screening and diagnostic mammography (non-screening) in the United Kingdom and other countries have also found variations in compression forces applied by radiographers both within [11][12][13][14] and between breast centers.…”

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] A longitudinal mammogram assessment of three consecutive screening rounds at a breast center in the United Kingdom showed a significant variation in applied compression forces. 10 Other studies conducted in the contexts of mammographic screening and diagnostic mammography (non-screening) in the United Kingdom and other countries have also found variations in compression forces applied by radiographers both within [11][12][13][14] and between breast centers. 9,[13][14][15][16] It is also known that there are large variations in the distribution of pressure across the breast surface 21 and that small changes in positioning can substantially affect this distribution.…”