AI provides accurate breast density classification

Date:
March 17, 2022
Source:
Radiological Society of North America
Summary:
An artificial intelligence (AI) tool can accurately and consistently
classify breast density on mammograms, according to a new study.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
An artificial intelligence (AI) tool can accurately and consistently
classify breast density on mammograms, according to a study in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.


========================================================================== Breast density reflects the amount of fibroglandular tissue in the breast commonly seen on mammograms. High breast density is an independent breast cancer risk factor, and its masking effect of underlying lesions reduces
the sensitivity of mammography. Consequently, many U.S. states have laws requiring that women with dense breasts be notified after a mammogram,
so that they can choose to undergo supplementary tests to improve cancer detection.

In clinical practice, breast density is visually assessed on two-view mammograms, most commonly with the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) four-category scale, ranging
from Category A for almost entirely fatty breasts to Category D for
extremely dense.

The system has limitations, as visual classification is prone to
inter-observer variability, or the differences in assessments between
two or more people, and intra-observer variability, or the differences
that appear in repeated assessments by the same person.

To overcome this variability, researchers in Italy developed software for breast density classification based on a sophisticated type of AI called
deep learning with convolutional neural networks, a sophisticated type
of AI that is capable of discerning subtle patterns in images beyond the capabilities of the human eye. The researchers trained the software,
known as TRACE4BDensity, under the supervision of seven experienced radiologists who independently visually assessed 760 mammographic images.

External validation of the tool was performed by the three radiologists
closest to the consensus on a dataset of 384 mammographic images obtained
from a different center.

TRACE4BDensity showed 89% accuracy in distinguishing between low density
(BI- RADS categories A and B) and high density (BI-RADS categories C
and D) breast tissue, with an agreement of 90% between the tool and the
three readers. All disagreements were in adjacent BI-RADS categories.

"The particular value of this tool is the possibility to overcome the suboptimal reproducibility of visual human density classification that
limits its practical usability," said study co-author Sergio Papa, M.D.,
from the Centro Diagnostico Italiano in Milan, Italy. "To have a robust
tool that proposes the density assignment in a standardized fashion
may help a lot in decision-making." Such a tool would be particularly valuable, the researchers said, as breast cancer screening becomes more personalized, with density assessment accounting for one important factor
in risk stratification.

"A tool such as TRACE4BDensity can help us advise women with dense
breasts to have, after a negative mammogram, supplemental screening with ultrasound, MRI or contrast-enhanced mammography," said study co-author Francesco Sardanelli, M.D., from the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato in
San Donato, Italy.

The researchers plan additional studies to better understand the full capabilities of the software.

"We would like to further assess the AI tool TRACE4BDensity, particularly
in countries where regulations on women density is not active, by
evaluating the usefulness of such tool for radiologists and patients,"
said study co-author Christian Salvatore, Ph.D., senior researcher,
University School for Advanced Studies IUSS Pavia and co-founder and
chief executive officer of DeepTrace Technologies.

"Development and Validation of an AI-driven Mammographic Breast Density Classification Tool Based on Radiologist Consensus." Collaborating
with Drs.

Papa, Sardanelli and Salvatore were Veronica Magni, M.D., Matteo
Interlenghi, M.Sc., Andrea Cozzi, M.D., Marco Ali`, Ph.D., Alcide
A. Azzena, M.D., Davide Capra, M.D., Serena Carriero, M.D., Gianmarco
Della Pepa, M.D., Deborah Fazzini, M.D., Giuseppe Granata, M.D., Caterina
B. Monti, M.D., Ph.D., Giulia Muscogiuri, M.D., Giuseppe Pellegrino,
M.D., Simone Schiaffino, M.D., and Isabella Castiglioni, M.Sc., M.B.A.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
Radiological_Society_of_North_America. Note: Content may be edited for
style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Veronica Magni, Matteo Interlenghi, Andrea Cozzi, Marco Ali`,
Christian
Salvatore, Alcide A. Azzena, Davide Capra, Serena Carriero,
Gianmarco Della Pepa, Deborah Fazzini, Giuseppe Granata, Caterina
B. Monti, Giulia Muscogiuri, Giuseppe Pellegrino, Simone Schiaffino,
Isabella Castiglioni, Sergio Papa, Francesco Sardanelli. Development
and Validation of an AI- driven Mammographic Breast Density
Classification Tool Based on Radiologist Consensus. Radiology:
Artificial Intelligence, 2022; DOI: 10.1148/ryai.210199 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220317120400.htm

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