Mammographic Density Errors during Interpretation of Breast Examinations

Abstract

Background: This article discusses errors that may occur when radiologists deal with mammographic density (MD) and present their performance analysis in Russia. Methods and Results: The authors of this report have analyzed 24,485 mammographic reports for 20,000 female patients (aged 29-85 years) that were made in various healthcare facilities in the Russian Federation. In 249(1.7%) mammographic exam reports, we observed a wrong MD interpretation. Conclusion: Diagnostic errors during mammographic examination occur because the radiologists lack theoretical knowledge about MD. This lack, in turn, results in a decrease in the quality of medical care provided for female patients and an increase in the number of diagnostic iatrogeny.

Keywords

• mammographic density
• iatrogeny
• breast cancer
• error