Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018;27(3):211-216.
doi: 10.1159/000488198. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Investigation of Exposure Factors for Various Breast Composition and Thicknesses in Digital Screening Mammography Related to Breast Dose

Khaled Alkhalifah, Ajit Brindhaban

Investigation of Exposure Factors for Various Breast Composition and Thicknesses in Digital Screening Mammography Related to Breast Dose

Khaled Alkhalifah et al. Med Princ Pract. 2018.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of exposure factors used in digital screening mammography on image quality of different breast compositions.

Material and methods: A digital mammography unit, with tungsten (W) as target, rhodium (Rh) and silver (Ag) as filters, and amorphous selenium detectors, was used to image Computerized Imaging Reference Systems (CIRS) Model 12A phantoms of thickness 4, 5, and 6 cm. Images of each phantom were obtained using target-filter combinations of W/Rh and W/Ag, at 28, 30, and 32 kVp. Images were evaluated by 5 senior technologists with experience in mammography. Image scores were assigned, for each type of feature present in the phantom. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests to compare sets of image scores at p = 0.05.

Results: A small but statistically significant improvement was detected in the visibility of microcalcifications (8.8 ± 0.2; p = 0.031) for the W/Rh combination but this did not show any differences in the visibility of masses or fibers. The entrance skin dose (ESD) and mean glandular dose (MGD) were lower for the W/Ag (ESD = 1.30-3.70; MGD = 0.44-0.93 mGy) combination compared to W/Rh (ESD = 1.66-5.40; MGD = 0.52-1.12 mGy). The Mann-Whitney test revealed that 30-kV exposure with the W/Rh combination showed a significantly better visibility of specks in the 30/70 phantom compared to other exposures.

Conclusion: The use of an Rh filter showed a better image quality for all phantoms. 28 and 30 kVp with the W/Rh combination provided a slightly better image quality, and the MGD is less than 1.2 mGy.

Keywords: Breast composition; Digital screening mammography; Exposure factors; Mammography phantom; Target/filter.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CIRS mammography research phantom model 12A.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The average score for each feature with different kilovolt peaks for the 50/50 phantom.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The average score for each feature with different kilovolt peaks for the 30/70 phantom.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The average score for each feature with different kilovolt peaks for the 20/80 phantom.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Ho JM, Jafferjee N, Covarrubias GM, et al. Dense Breasts: A review of reporting legislation and available supplemental screening options. Am J Roentgenol. 2014;203:449–456. - PubMed
    1. Elbasmi A, Al-Asfour A, Al-Nesf Y, et al. Cancer in Kuwait: magnitude of the problem. Gulf J Oncol. 2010;8:7–14. - PubMed
    1. Swedish Organised Service Screening Evaluation Group Reduction in breast cancer mortality from organized service screening with mammography: further confirmation with extended data. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006;15:45–51. - PubMed
    1. Tabár L, Vitak B, Chen HH, et al. Beyond randomized controlled trials: organized mammographic screening substantially reduces breast carcinoma mortality. Cancer. 2001;91:1724–1731. - PubMed
    1. Tabár L, Yen MF, Vitak B, et al. Mammography service screening and mortality in breast cancer patients: 20-year follow-up before and after introduction of screening. Lancet. 2003;36:1405–1410. - PubMed