Radiology, Vol 194, 389-392, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Latent image fading in screen-film mammography: lack of clinical relevance for batch-processed films
EA Sickles
Department of Radiology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco 94143.
PURPOSE: To assess the clinical relevance of latent image fading due to
time delays in batch-processed screening mammograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Results of all 66,667 mammographic examinations performed in a mobile van
since April 1985 were retrospectively analyzed. Film was routinely batch
processed at the end of the workday. The rate of repeat examination due to
poor image quality, rate of abnormal interpretation, and rate of cancer
detection were studied. RESULTS: Essentially no differences were found in
the rates at which repeat examination was necessary, abnormal
interpretations were made, or breast cancers were detected when
examinations performed at the beginning, middle, and end of the workday
were compared (time delays in film processing ranged from 15 minutes to 8
hours). CONCLUSION: Latent image fading is not accompanied by clinically
relevant impairment of results if films are processed at the end of the
workday. Latent image fading should not deter the use of batch-film
processing.
