Acta radiologica最新文献

{"title":"Diagnostic value of multslice spiral CT and MRI in traumatic anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries of the knee.","authors":"Guizhou Shen, Meilong Bai, Chengwei Xie, Sisi Zheng, Yizhong Chen, Liyong Wu, Wenxiang Yang","doi":"10.1177/02841851251393779","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02841851251393779","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMultiple knee ligament injuries affecting the medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) usually result from high-energy trauma or knee dislocations.PurposeTo explore the diagnostic value of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting traumatic ACL/PCL injuries of the knee combined with clinical findings.Material and MethodsPatients with suspected ACL and PCL injuries underwent both MSCT and MRI. The length, thickness, and angle of the ACL and PCL were measured. Arthroscopy served as the gold standard to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of MSCT and MRI, including their efficacy in grading the severity of ligament injuries.ResultsMRI yielded higher values for ACL length and angle, but lower thickness than MSCT (t = 4.674, 2.340, 2.692; <i>P</i> <0.05). For the PCL, MRI revealed lower values in length, thickness, and angle than MSCT (t = 2.477, 3.359, 2.684; <i>P</i> <0.05). MSCT demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy, while MRI provided superior positive and negative predictive values. Although MSCT had slightly lower sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy than MRI, the differences were not statistically significant (<i>P</i> >0.05).ConclusionBoth MSCT and MRI are valuable tools for diagnosing traumatic ACL and PCL injuries of the knee. However, MRI offers a modest diagnostic advantage over MSCT, particularly in soft tissue visualization and predictive accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"2841851251393779"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147832096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reduced beam hardening in urogenital imaging with photon-counting CT: a retrospective direct comparison with conventional CT.","authors":"Erik Gudmann Steuble Brandt, Felix Christoph Müller, Yousef Jw Nielsen, Anne Marie Ewald, Bulat Ibragimov, Henrik Thomsen, Anders Rodell, Michael Brun Andersen","doi":"10.1177/02841851261445935","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02841851261445935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundBeam-hardening artefacts and image noise are very common causes of reduced image quality with computed tomography (CT) imaging of the lower pelvis and perirenal area affecting precision of diagnoses in urogenital imaging.PurposeTo investigate whether photon-counting CT (PCCT) improves image quality and/or reduces beam-hardening artefacts in the lower pelvis and in the perirenal area compared to energy-integrating CT (EIDCT).Material and MethodsWe retrospectively identified 35 patients scanned using both EIDCT and PCCT. Four radiologists read both PCCT and EIDCT images. Readers evaluated image quality both subjectively and quantitatively over the left medial perirenal fat and the urinary bladder. Continuous data were compared with a paired <i>t</i>-test and ordinal data with a Wilcoxon signed rank test.ResultsImage quality ratings were higher with PCCT compared to EIDCT. Median scores for the left medial perirenal fat were 5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 4-5) for PCCT and 3 (IQR = 3-4) for EIDCT (<i>P</i> <0.001) and for the lower pelvis 5 (IQR = 4-5) for PCCT and 3 (IQR = 2-4) for EIDCT (<i>P</i> <0.001). Image noise was significantly lower in PCCT scans compared to EIDCT scans (urinary bladder 11.9 HU vs. 17.8 HU, <i>P</i> <0.001; left medial perirenal fat 15.6 HU vs. 22.5 HU, <i>P</i> <0.001). Mean dose-length-product was significantly lower in the PCCT scans with a dose reduction of reduction 21.2% (<i>P</i> <0.001).ConclusionBeam-hardening artefacts were considerable reduced and image noise was significantly lower with PCCT compared to EIDCT at significantly reduced radiation doses. This could have potential implications in the radiological assessment of urogenital diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"2841851261445935"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147832141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pulmonary findings in COVID-19: radiology correlates with the histopathological post-mortem findings in patients with fatal acute disease.","authors":"Ann Mari Svensson, Laszlo Szekely, Hans Brunnström, Anna Kistner, Cristian Ortiz-Villalón","doi":"10.1177/02841851261425663","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261425663","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundProgressive respiratory failure is the leading cause of death in patients with severe COVID-19. Histopathological findings in acute severe COVID-19 are foremost based on post-mortem findings. On computed tomography (CT), acute COVID-19 pneumonia is characterized by ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and, later, by a crazy-paving pattern (CPP) and consolidations.PurposeTo investigate if CT patterns corresponded to histopathological post-mortem findings.Material and MethodsEight patients were identified with a chest CT performed between testing positive for COVID-19 and death. CT images, histological slides, and medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The lungs were photographed during the gross investigation to ascertain the exact position of the tissue blocks in relation to the relevant anatomical structures. Each slide was compared side by side with the in vivo chest CT pattern on the corresponding site.ResultsAt CT, the most predominant finding was GGOs, present in all eight cases. CPP was observed in 6/8 (75%) patients, and consolidation in 7/8 (87.5%) patients, both predominantly located in the lower lung zones. In 5 (62.5%) patients, so-called fibrotic-like changes were present. In four patients with CT angiogram, no findings of pulmonary thromboembolism were present. At autopsy, all patients demonstrated macroscopic consolidation, while pleural effusion was seen in 2 (25%) cases. Microscopically, edema was present in all cases, hyaline membranes in 7/8 (87.5%) cases, but no signs of acute interstitial inflammation were observed. Thromboembolic findings were evident in 4 (50%) patients, of whom two were negative on CT and 3 (37.5%) cases had fibrosis.ConclusionThe results demonstrate a clear association between radiological signs of GGO, consolidation and features of organizing pneumonia to microscopical signs of edema and diffuse alveolar damage. However, fibrotic-like changes and thromboembolism in the small vessels had a poorer compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"463-474"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13139680/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147508616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thrombolytic therapy before percutaneous coronary intervention improves short-term cardiac function evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.","authors":"Jiani Yin, Hao Gong, Yunfei Wang, Jun Wang, Chunjian Li, Xiaomei Zhu, Yi Xu","doi":"10.1177/02841851261418205","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261418205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe necessity of thrombolytic therapy before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients remains controversial, requiring further evaluation of potential benefits.PurposeTo explore the efficacy of half-dose recombinant staphylokinase (r-SAK) intravenous bolus before PCI in STEMI patients.Material and MethodsPatients with STEMI were allocated to r-SAK or normal saline groups before PCI. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at 5 days after MI evaluated cardiac function, myocardial tissue characteristics, and strain. Segments were classified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent.ResultsA total of 64 STEMI patients were divided into the r-SAK group (n = 33) and NS group (n = 31). Patients in the r-SAK group had a significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac output index (<i>P</i> = 0.045 and 0.024). There was no significant difference between the two groups in mapping parameters, infarct size, area at risk, or the incidence of microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) (all <i>P</i> >0.05). Regardless of the extent of LGE in the segments, patients in the r-SAK group exhibited significantly better segmental longitudinal strain (all <i>P</i> <0.001). In addition, patients from the r-SAK group had a better segmental circumferential strain in LGE segments (<i>P</i> = 0.044).ConclusionFor STEMI patients expected to undergo PCI within 120 min of presentation, a single bolus of half-dose r-SAK administrated before PCI improved short-term cardiac function without increasing incidence of MVO or IMH.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"435-445"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147484130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Referral quality and justification rate in MRI for the lower back: evaluation of an intervention to reduce imaging og low value.","authors":"Elin Kjelle, Ingrid Øfsti Brandsæter, Jan Porthun, Bjørn Morten Hofmann","doi":"10.1177/02841851261424495","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261424495","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundLower back magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common imaging procedure; however, it often has low value in patients with uncomplicated back pain. Measures to reduce low-value procedures are necessary for a sustainable imaging service.PurposeTo evaluate the outcomes of the national intervention implemented in imaging centers by assessing referral quality and justification rate of lower back MRI in private imaging centers in Norway.Material and MethodsThis study used a before-after design to assess referrals retrospectively for justification and information quality to evaluate the intervention's effect. Four radiologists and four radiographers, all experienced in the field, assessed 360 referrals, half from before and half after the intervention. Descriptive, comparative, and Kappa statistics were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe rate of justified referrals increased from 60% to 65% when comparing before and after the implementation. The rate of unjustified referrals was reduced from 24% before to 19% after. The rate of referrals that lacked information was unchanged. Further, referral quality slightly increased after the intervention; still, 88% of the referrals were considered low quality. Radiologists were stricter in their assessment of referrals compared to radiographers. The interrater agreement was moderate in justification assessment and very good in referral quality assessment.ConclusionThe intervention slightly improved referral quality and justification rate. However, with a 20% unjustified rate after the intervention, further measures are needed to increase service quality and reduce wait times.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"411-417"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147375684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction in lower extremity computed tomography angiography (CTA) of diabetic patients: Improved visualization of distal and collateral arteries.","authors":"Yi Wen, Liying Peng, Yuanyuan Zhou, Hui Liu, Xiaoqian Bian, Peng Fang, Zhongjie Yang","doi":"10.1177/02841851261429969","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261429969","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe impact of deep learning (DL)-based computed tomography (CT) reconstruction on the visualization of distal and collateral arteries in diabetic lower extremity CT angiography (CTA) remains unclear.PurposeTo investigate the performance of a novel DL-based CT reconstruction algorithm, artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR), in visualizing distal and collateral arteries on lower extremity CTA of diabetic patients, compared to the routine hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR).Material and MethodsThis retrospective study included 59 diabetic patients who underwent clinically indicated lower extremity CTA. The images were reconstructed with both AIIR and HIR. Distal arterial visualization, collateral circulation depiction, and overall image quality were assessed and compared between two reconstruction methods.ResultsCompared with HIR, AIIR significantly improved the vessel visualization scores in the posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis, medial plantar, dorsal metatarsal, and dorsal digital arteries (all <i>P</i> <0.05). The scores for collateral circulation depiction were also higher with AIIR than those with HIR (all <i>P</i> <0.001). AIIR yielded significantly lower noise as well as higher signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio compared with HIR (all <i>P</i> <0.001). The subjective score on overall image quality was significantly higher with AIIR than that with HIR (<i>P</i> <0.001).ConclusionCompared with HIR, AIIR provides improved visualization of distal and collateral arteries, as well as better overall image quality, in lower extremity CTA of diabetic patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"426-434"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147466608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC) in cervical disc degeneration: a quantitative assessment of multiple parametric markers.","authors":"Menglong Han, Xiangjun Fang, Weihong He, Kai Hu, Jianchun Peng","doi":"10.1177/02841851261425191","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261425191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundCervical disc degeneration represents a significant healthcare challenge that necessitates precise diagnostic methodologies for optimal clinical management. Although conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the gold standard for disc assessment, the emergence of quantitative imaging techniques presents an opportunity to enhance diagnostic accuracy and facilitate objective evaluation of degenerative changes.PurposeTo investigate the feasibility and clinical value of the magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC) technique in evaluating cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.Material and MethodsA total of 200 patients (1000 cervical discs) underwent both conventional MRI and MAGiC scanning. Two experienced physicians performed Miyazaki grading on T2-weighted images. Quantitative measurements were taken from the anterior annulus fibrosus (AAF), posterior annulus fibrosus (PAF), and nucleus pulposus (NP) in MAGiC sequences.ResultsHigh consistency was observed in the region of interest (ROI) and Miyazaki grading (ICC > 0.8). T2 and R2 showed significant correlation with age and Miyazaki stage (<i>P</i> <0.001). Significant differences were found between classifications, except for quantitative parameters between grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ of the AAF and PAF regions, and T1 values between grades and PAF regions. NP parameters showed a statistical significance between adjacent Miyazaki grades. MAGiC parameters of NP demonstrated highest diagnostic efficiency for cervical disc degeneration.ConclusionMAGiC technique effectively quantifies cervical degenerative changes, with T2 and R2 values of NP showing highest effectiveness. This method provides accurate diagnostic information and may have clinical potential pending validation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"401-410"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147375667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diffusion-weighted imaging of bone and soft tissue tumors: a systematic review.","authors":"Mehul Mittal, Rahul Sharma, Lauren Kim, Mikaela Bankston, Cindy Weinschenk, Avneesh Chhabra, Robert C Weinschenk","doi":"10.1177/02841851261429386","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261429386","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) analyzes water diffusion in tissues, indirectly reflecting cellular density and aiding tumor characterization. Our objective was to explore the utility of DWI in three topics: (i) differentiation of bone and soft tissue sarcomas with respect to tumor type/grade; (ii) correlation with chemotherapy response in Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma; and (iii) differentiation of benign from malignant soft tissue and bone tumors. The aim of the review article was to assess the existing literature detailing the insight that can be provided by DWI when addressing bone and soft tissue tumors. A search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines using Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and CENTRAL databases from 1 January 2013 to 30 November 2023. Eligible studies were assessed for quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) scoring system. In total, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. DWI proved effective in select scenarios when distinguishing among bone and soft tissue sarcomas (sensitivity = 48%-89%, specificity = 75%-100%), correlating chemotherapy response with histopathology results (sensitivity = 25%-85%, specificity = 50%-100%), and differentiating between benign and malignant bone tumors (sensitivity = 54%-92%, specificity = 39%-92%) and soft tissue tumors (sensitivity = 68%-91%, specificity = 60%-81%). DWI is a valuable tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of bone and soft tissue sarcomas, treatment effect of primary bone tumors, and distinguishing benign from malignant bone/soft tissue tumors. Though promising, the technology has shown mixed results, warranting further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"446-462"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147502738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inter-observer variability for detection of suspected ileocolonic Crohn's disease with magnetic resonance enterography.","authors":"Jacob Broder Brodersen, Michael Dam Jensen, Mathias Byriel, Claus Dam, Martina Loft, Søren Rafael Rafaelsen","doi":"10.1177/02841851261422702","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02841851261422702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMagnetic resonance enterography (MRE) can visualize Crohn's disease (CD) and its complications.PurposeTo determine the inter-observer agreement for the detection of ileocolonic CD.Material and MethodsThis post-hoc analysis included MRE scans from 48 patients selected from a prospective, blinded multicenter study of patients with suspected CD. Based on ileocolonoscopy in the main study, CD was diagnosed in 39 (81%) patients, with colonic involvement in 36 (69%). Two senior radiologists and two junior doctors undergoing specialist training, blinded to clinical data assessed the image quality, CD presence, and disease severity.ResultsThe inter-observer agreement for CD detection varied by location: terminal ileum (κ = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.63-0.89), colon (κ = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.42-0.74), and ileocolon (κ = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.49-0.80). Agreement was higher among senior radiologists than juniors: terminal ileum (κ = 0.83 vs. 0.73; <i>P</i> = 0.60) and colon (κ = 0.73 vs. 0.41; <i>P</i> = 0.11), though differences were not statistically significant. The inter-observer agreement for disease severity was poor to moderate with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.51 (95% CI = 0.35-0.67) for the MaRIA and 0.46 (95% CI = 0.29-0.62) for the simplified MaRIA. Senior radiologists showed higher consistency, with moderate to good agreement: ICC of 0.69 for the MaRIA, 0.70 for the simplified MaRIA, and 0.80 for bowel wall thickness.ConclusionIn early CD, MRE demonstrated moderate to substantial inter-observer agreement for ileocolonic evaluation. Limitations in colonic assessment likely reflect early disease detection rather than observer variability, highlighting the need for a complementary assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"418-425"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147375663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality control of mammographic systems using ACR digital mammography (DM) phantom images: a comparative study of automated and human observer scoring.","authors":"Zeyad Alawaji, Seyedamir Tavakoli Taba, Abdulaziz S Alshabibi, Lucy Cartwright, William Rae","doi":"10.1177/02841851261425207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02841851261425207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundQuality control (QC) in mammography is crucial for breast imaging and it relies predominantly on subjective assessment of image quality (IQ) in phantom.PurposeTo validate the efficacy of automated software assessment in comparison with human observers.Material and MethodsA total of 80 processed images of the ACR DM phantom were collected from mammography systems supplied by five different vendors. IQ was assessed using in-house developed software and 11 human observers (five experts and six non-experts). Three different target objects of various sizes and shapes were scored (six fibers, six speck groups, six masses) for each image.ResultsThe software assessment demonstrated good to moderate agreement with the human observers' scoring of target objects, especially with expert observers. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values between the software and all observers were 0.77, 0.61, and 0.78 for fibers, speck groups, and masses, respectively. There was variability in the scoring of low contrast objects, especially with non-expert observers. Meanwhile, high contrast objects (e.g. specks) showed the highest visibility rate and received more consistent scores. The comparison between the software and all observers indicated mean differences of 0.53 for fibers, 0.27 for specks, and 0.36 for masses.ConclusionThe software assessment effectively scored the phantom IQ, demonstrating comparability to assessments made by human observers, regardless of the image acquisition factors and manufacturers' design specifications. This software should therefore ensure consistent IQ assessment that mitigates the limitations of subjective human assessment in mammography quality testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":7143,"journal":{"name":"Acta radiologica","volume":" ","pages":"2841851261425207"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}