Observer detection performance in radiology using a retransmission-free network communication protocol.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES We measured the effect of image data loss on diagnostic accuracy to test the possibility of using a retransmission-free network communication protocol for transferring radiologic images. METHODS Mammograms transferred over a simulated network with 0%, 15%, and 25% transmission packet loss were presented randomly to 10 observers who typically read mammograms. Observers reported on the presence or absence of microcalcification clusters and the number of calcifications per cluster. RESULTS Performance with 15% loss did not differ from performance with 0% loss. The 25% loss condition resulted in a significant decrease in performance. Accuracy of counting individual microcalcifications was high in all three loss conditions. CONCLUSION Up to 15% packet loss can be tolerated without affecting diagnostic performance. These data suggest that in some radiologic applications retransmission-free communication protocols may be useful.