Lowest variability for Volpara, Quantra; higher variability for Cumulus ABD and CumulusV
THURSDAY, April 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Volpara and Quantra algorithms have the lowest variability in repeated measures of breast density, according to a study published in the May issue of Radiology.
Olivier Alonzo-Proulx, Ph.D., from the University of Toronto, and colleagues estimated the reliability of a reference standard two-dimensional area-based method and three automated volumetric breast density measurements. Thirty women undergoing screening mammography consented to undergo a repeated left craniocaudal examination. Breast density was assessed using an area-based method (Cumulus ABD) and three automated volumetric methods (CumulusV, Volpara, and Quantra). For each algorithm, the authors obtained the discrepancy between the first and second breast density measures by subtracting the second measurement from the first.
The researchers found that there was higher variability for Cumulus ABD and CumulusV than for Volpara or Quantra, with 3.32, 3.59, 0.99, and 1.64 percent within-breast density measurement standard deviations, respectively. Larger absolute breast density discrepancy values correlated with larger breast density values for Cumulus ABD and CumulusV, but not for Volpara and Quantra; the mean discrepancy between repeat breast density measurements was not significantly different from zero for any algorithm.
“Variability in a repeated measurement of breast density is lowest for Volpara and Quantra; these algorithms may be more suited to incorporation into a risk model,” the authors write.
Two authors disclosed financial ties to Volpara Solutions.
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