Learning objectives
To understand the effect of breast compression in mammography.
To recognize the relationship between breast tissue thickness and image quality.
Background
Appropriate breast compression enables optimal viewing of the underlying anatomic structures while minimizing the superposition of shadows, and hence of motion artifacts that can blur the acquired mammographic images. Moreover, breast compression allows for a thinner amount of breast tissue to be imaged, thereby decreasing the x-ray exposure to the patient.[1]
The advantageous effects of breast compression on image quality are outlined below:
Minimizes the distance between the breast tissue and the X-ray detector, and hence minimizes potential geometric blurring of breast structures.
Enables the...
Findings and procedure details
Measurement of the Detector response function
To obtain more reliable results that could facilitate a distinct quantitative analysis, the Detector response function (DRF)was evaluated according to the EUREF Fourth edition Supplements. [2]
A 2-mm thick Al plate was placed on the x-ray tubeand the compression paddle was thenremoved. Furthermore, a 2-mm thick stainless steel was used to protect the x-ray detector, and the x-ray dosimeter (center of measurement) was placed at a distance of 60-mm from the chest wall edgeon the centerline of the breast...
Conclusion
Decreasing the PMMA thickness is bound to contribute to a distinct improvement in the image quality. Therefore, our phantom results can be applied to breast thickness to improve image quality in mammography.
Personal information and conflict of interest
R. Suzuki; Oguni/JP - nothing to disclose M. Ito; Oguni/JP - nothing to disclose Y. Konno; Oguni/JP - nothing to disclose H. Yamashina; Sapporo/JP - nothing to disclose H. Sugimori; Sapporo hokkaido/JP - nothing to disclose M. Ito; Akita/JP - nothing to disclose
References
1. International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Human Health Series No. 17 - Quality Assurance Programme for Digital Mammography, IAEA, Vienna (2011).
2. European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis, Fourth Edition Supplements. European Commission (2013).
3.IEC 61223-3-2/Ed. 2: 2007, Evaluation and routine testing in medical imaging departments - Part 3-2: Acceptance tests - Imaging performance of mammographic X-ray equipment.
4. http://autopia.cyberqual.it/