AIR - Abnormal Interpretation / Recall Rate
What is Recall Rate/Callback Rate?
Recall rate, or callback rate, is the proportion of patients called after an initial visit to return for additional imaging. Recall can occur in both asymptomatic and symptomatic women.
What is the relationship between Recall Rate and Abnormal Interpretation Rate (AIR)?
According to Funaro et al., the AIR is the percentage of mammograms that were interpreted to be positive (Funaro et al., 2021). Screening mammograms interpreted as BI-RADS categories 0, 3, 4, and 5 are used to calculate the AIR. Screening mammograms interpreted as BI-RADS categories 0-2 will give the recall rate. Combining recall rate and AIR provides a comprehensive overview of how many screening mammograms are recalled for additional imaging.
What are the performance benchmarks for Recall Rate/Abnormal Interpretation Rate?
The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium’s performance benchmark for recall rate/abnormal interpretation rate is 11.5% for screening mammograms and 12.5% for diagnostic mammograms.
What type of mammogram will an individual receive if recalled after a screening mammogram?
When recalled for additional imaging after a screening mammogram, the physician will want the patient to complete a diagnostic mammogram workup. The diagnostic series aims to get a more in-depth view of the area of concern and compare it to past mammograms to evaluate changes over time.
How is Recall Rate displayed in Mammologix’s Mammography Audit?
Recall rate is shown as a percentage (%).
How can an interpreting physician’s Recall Rate relate to their False Positive Rate?
According to Funaro et al., if an interpreting physician has a high false-positive rate, their individual recall rate will be high, and their cancer detection rate will be similar to the benchmark standards; They suggest that these physicians employ strategies such as double reading for callback mammograms and evaluating all imaging series completed very thoroughly to avoid having a high false-positive rate (2021).
Where is Recall Rate seen in Mammologix’s Mammography Medical Audit?
The mammography audit by Mammologix provides the Recall Rate in several areas:
- Aggregate Executive Summary: “% Recall”
- Asymptomatic
- Symptomatic
- Aggregate Mammogram
- Interpreting Physician Executive Summary: “Call Back Rate: % Recall”
- Screening Mammograms (Facility and Individual counts)
Diagnostic Mammograms (Facility and Individual counts)
Sources:
Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC). (n.d.). BENCHMARKS FOR ABNORMAL DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAPHY INTERPRETATIONS 2007-2013. BCSC. https://www.bcsc-research.org/statistics/diagnostic-performance-benchmarks/benchmarks-abnormal-diagnostic-mammography
Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC). (n.d.). BENCHMARKS FOR ABNORMAL SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY INTERPRETATIONS 2007-2013. BCSC. https://www.bcsc-research.org/statistics/screening-performance-benchmarks-archive/abnormal-scrn-benchmarks-archive
Funaro, K., Ataya, D., & Niell, B. (2021). Understanding the Mammography Audit. Radiologic Clinics of North America, 59(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcl.2020.09.009
