Inter-observer agreement on the evaluation of automated breast volume scanner for breast masses

Abstract

Objective: To explore inter-observer agreement on the evaluation of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) for breast masses. Methods: A total of 846 breast masses in 630 patients underwent ABVS examinations. The imaging data were independently interpreted by senior and junior radiologists regarding the mass size ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm and total). We assessed inter-observer agreement of BI-RADS lexicons, unique descriptors of ABVS coronal planes. Using BI-RADS 3 or 4a as a cutoff value, the diagnostic performances for 331 masses with pathological results in 253 patients were assessed. Results: The overall agreements were substantial for BI-RADS lexicons ([Formula: see text]–0.779) and the characteristics on the coronal plane of ABVS ([Formula: see text]), except for associated features ([Formula: see text]). However, the overall agreement was moderate for orientation ([Formula: see text]) for the masses [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm. The agreements were substantial to be perfect for categories 2, 3, 4, 5 and overall ([Formula: see text]–0.918). However, the agreements were moderate to substantial for categories 4a ([Formula: see text]), 4b ([Formula: see text]), and 4c ([Formula: see text]), except for category 4b of the masses [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm ([Formula: see text]). Moreover, for radiologists 1 and 2, there were no significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values with BI-RADS 3 or 4a as a cutoff value ([Formula: see text] for all). Conclusion: ABVS is a reliable imaging modality for the assessment of breast masses with good inter-observer agreement.