Artificial Intelligence Support for Mammography: In-Practice Clinical Experience.

Abstract

Mammographic results can be delayed for many reasons, including physician shortages. In our practice, most delays occur when patients fail to bring their prior outside studies when they present for mammography. In those instances, screening mammographic examinations were held for several weeks until prior studies were received or were ultimately interpreted without comparison to satisfy Mammography Quality Standards Act requirements that reports and lay letters to patients be provided within 30 days of the acquisition of a mammogram [ 1 US Food and Drug AdministrationThe Mammography Quality Standards Act final regulations: modifications and additions to policy guidance help system #13. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/mammography-quality-standards-act-final-regulations-modifications-and-additions-policy-guidance-help-0Date accessed: October 3, 2021 Google Scholar ]. Many women experience anxiety waiting for their mammographic results, with 97% of women in one study reporting that immediate results would lower anxiety [ 2 Lee J. Hardest L.A. Kunzler N.M. et al. Direct interactive public education by breast radiologists about screening mammography: impact on anxiety and empowerment. J Am Coll Radiol. 2016; 13: 12-20 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar ]. We improved our mammographic interpretation process through use of an artificial intelligence (AI)–based computer-aided detection (CAD) and triage software suite and share here our 2-year experience.