Monday, 8 October 2007

Are you reading what we are reading? The effect of who interprets medical

Are you reading what we are reading? The effect of who interprets medical images on estimates of diagnostic test accuracy in systematic reviews
S Brealey and M Westwood
Br J Radiol 2007;80 674-677
http://bjr.birjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/80/956/674?etoc

Whilst the influence of the observer on diagnostic test performance is frequently ignored, there is evidence that this influences estimates of accuracy. Characteristics of observers that should be considered when designing systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy are: allocation of images to be read by observers; number, experience and training of observers; profession of observers; and assessment of observer variability and examination of its effect on test accuracy

Texture analysis of tissue surrounding microcalcifications on mammograms for breast cancer diagnosisA Karahaliou, S Skiadopoulos, I Boniatis, P Sakell

Texture analysis of tissue surrounding microcalcifications on mammograms for breast cancer diagnosis
A Karahaliou, S Skiadopoulos, I Boniatis, P Sakellaropoulos, E Likaki, G Panayiotakis, and L Costaridou
Br J Radiol 2007;80 648-656

http://bjr.birjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/80/956/648?etoc

Diagnosis of microcalcifications (MCs) is challenged by the presence of dense breast parenchyma, resulting in low specificity values and thus in unnecessary biopsies. The current study investigates whether texture properties of the tissue surrounding MCs can contribute to breast cancer diagnosis

Mammography screening and genetic disposition to radiation risk

Mammography screening and genetic disposition to radiation risk
K Faulkner
Br J Radiol 2007;80 591-592

http://bjr.birjournals.org/cgi/content/full/80/956/591?etoc


These two papers will clearly start a scientific debate on the effect of ionizing radiation on BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers and whether genetic susceptibility to cancer induction substantially alters the radiation risks. Further studies will be necessary to establish whether X-ray mammography will reduce mortality and if these women are at greater risk from ionising radiation than the general population