Comparison of full-field digital mammography and film-screen mammography: image quality and lesion detection.

Fischmann A, Siegmann KC, Wersebe A, Claussen CD, Muller-Schimpfle M.

The objective of this study is to compare image quality and lesion detection for full field digital mammography (FFDM) and film-screen mammography (FSM). In 200 women we performed digital mammography of one breast and film-screen mammography of the other breast. Imaging parameters were set automatically. Image quality, visualization of calcifications and masses were rated by three readers independently. Mean glandular dose was calculated for both systems. We found no significant difference in mean glandular dose. Image quality was rated by reader A/B/C as excellent for FFDM in 153/155/167 cases and for FSM in 139/116/114 cases (p less than 0.03/0.001/0.001). FFDM demonstrated improved image quality compared with film-screen mammography. Microcalcification detection was also significantly better with the digital mammography system for two of the three readers.

Br J Radiol. 2005 Apr;78(928):312-5.