Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41642301›Full record

Observational studyEuropean radiology2026

AI software as a third reader in breast cancer screening-a prospective diagnostic observational study.

Thomas Lehnen, Doris Polenske, Barbara Daria Wichtmann, Nils Christian Lehnen

Abstract readObservational StudyMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in European radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Thomas LehnenMVZ KERN Radiologie Lehnen/Polenske, Gelsenkirchen-Buer, Germany.
Doris PolenskeMVZ KERN Radiologie Lehnen/Polenske, Gelsenkirchen-Buer, Germany.
Barbara Daria WichtmannClinic for Neuroradiology, University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Nils Christian LehnenClinic for Neuroradiology, University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. nils.lehnen@ukbonn.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9506-1452

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDespite advances in mammography screening, some cancers remain undetected, prompting the evaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) as an independent third reader to reduce missed cancers. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this prospective study, women eligible for the German Mammography Screening were enrolled at six sites belonging to one screening unit between August 2023 and February 2024. Each mammogram underwent double reading and was independently analyzed using Transpara, an AI-based detection software. Cases rated BI-RADS 4 or 5 by any reader or given a risk score of 10 by the software were reviewed in a consensus conference. Endpoints included: primary-cancer detection rate (CDR) and positive predictive values (PPV); secondary-analysis of cancers detected only by the software or missed by it.

results15,356 female participants (mean age 58.6 ± 5.6 years) were included. Overall, 115 breast cancers were detected (CDR triple reading: 0.75%; 95% CI: 0.62%, 0.90%). CDR of double reading and standalone AI was 0.68% (95% CI: 0.56, 0.83%) and 0.66% (95% CI: 0.54, 0.81%). Using Transpara as a third reader increased the detection rate by 9.5% (95% CI: 4.7%, 16.8%) compared to double reading (p = 0.002). The PPV for consensus-conference referrals was 5.1% (95% CI: 4.2%, 6.1%), lower than double reading 7.5%(95% CI: 6.2%, 9.0%; p < 0.001). For recalled cases, the PPV was 13.7%(95% CI: 11.5%, 16.2%) versus 15.2% (95% CI: 12.6%, 18.1%; p < 0.001). All nine invasive cancers detected solely by AI were Luminal-A-like cancers. Among 13 cancers missed by the software, four were triple-negative.

conclusionAdding Transpara as an independent third reader improved detection rates, mainly by identifying additional Luminal-A-like cancers, and increased the workload to the consensus conference and the number of recalled cases. KEY POINTS: Question Does the integration of AI software as an independent third reader improve cancer detection rates in mammography screening without increasing false-positive findings and recall rates? Findings AI as an independent third reader increased cancer detection by 9.5%, mainly identifying Luminal-A-like cancers, significantly decreasing the positive predictive values of cases referred to at the consensus conference and increasing the number of recalled cases. Clinical relevance Using AI as an independent third reader enhances mammographic cancer detection by offering radiologists complementary sensitivity, especially for low-risk lesions. However, maintaining human readers is essential, as AI may miss aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancers.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceBreast NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerMammographySoftwareAgedFemaleHumansMiddle AgedProspective StudiesComputer-assisted diagnosisDouble readingMammography screening

Identifiers

PMID41642301
PMCPMC13212635

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.