1. MAMMO QC – covered in week 8
MAMMOGRAPHY
Equipment
– Lecture #1
Bushong Ch. 23
MAMMO QC – covered in week 8
Rev. Spring 2014

2. PHANTOM IMAGES 4/5 masses 3/4specks 4/6 fibers should be seen
WEEKLY - to assure film density, contrast, uniformity and image quality are optimum – Using the SAME cassette and technical factors each time
4/5 masses
3/4specks
4/6 fibers
should be seen
(see pg 500 review book)

3. Mammography Equipment Bushong – Ch. 23
FILM SCREEN
& DIGITAL
When the x-ray tube is tilted in its housing, the effective focal spot is small, the x-ray intensity is more uniform, and tissue against the chest is imaged.

4. EQUIPMENT DIFFERENCES
TARGET MATERIAL –
MOLYBDENUM
MO/RHODIUM
SMALLER FOCAL SPOTS
SHORTER SID
KVP RANGES
LOW ~ 24 – – 28 (Bushong)
(type of target used)
MAS
PHOTOCELLS

5. Mammography Imaging System
High frequency generators
TARGET MATERIAL:
Tungsten (W), (z = ____?)
Molybdenum (Mo), (z = ___ ?)
or rhodium (Rh) target (z = ___ ?)
Focal spot sizes 0.3/0.1 mm (Bushong)
with tilted tube
Maximum 600 mAs limit

6. Mammography Imaging System
Inherent filtration 0.1 Al equivalent
Heel effect used to advantage
Compression reduces motion, improves spatial resolution, lowers patient dose
High-transmission cellular grid
Automatic exposure control

7. but improves contrast significantly p 327
A high-transmission cellular grid designed specifically for mammography.
4:1 or 5:1 grid ratio
40 line/cm frequency
4:1 grid doubles pt dose –
but improves contrast significantly p 327
Correct way to load mammography film and position the cassette.
Spatial resolution improves when the x-ray film is placed closest to the breast and
between the x-ray tube and the radiographic intensifying screen.

8. DEDICATED MAMMOGRAPIC EQUIPMENT
KVP RANGE : 23 – 28 kvp (BUSHONG)
TARGETS: Molybdenum / Rhodium (vs. Tungsten)
FOCAL SPOTS
(can range from 0.1 – 0.6)
SID 60 –70 cm (vs. 100cm)
Compression Paddle
Heel Effect (fat/cat)
GRIDS : 4:1 or 5:1 (vs 8 to16:1)
What does “DEDICATED”
Mean in the above title?

9. Anode Heel Effect –
Which portion should
Be under the cathode
Side of the TUBE?
The heel effect can be used to advantage in mammography by positioning the cathode toward the chest wall to produce

10. DIGITAL MAMMO DIGITAL has a resolution of approximately
5 lp/mm – but also has MORE CONTRAST
CONVENTIONAL FILM/SCREEN: resolution of approximately 12 lp/mm
No need for an additional exposure to the patient

11. MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGES
The BREAST has a low subject contrast – little differences in density = soft tissue radiography

12. Can affect: kVp & mAs ranges
Compression in mammography has three principal advantages: improved spatial resolution, improved contrast resolution, and lower patient dose.
Can affect:
kVp & mAs ranges

13. MAX 25 PSI - how is this measured?

15. Most MAMMOS ARE NOW DIGITAL –
NOT FILM SCREEN PROCESSING
Position of AEC
over breast tissue

16. Remove all ambient light when possible – for better images

17. Other Imaging of the Breast

18. Breast Ultrasound
What is best seen?
Why is US chosen over X-Ray?

20. CT Breast Scanner Detect lesions 5mm in size 1/10 of the radiation
2-3 times higher spatial resolution

21. 3d Mammo ?

22. Breast MRI

24. Mammo Images & Procedures in Lecture # 2

25. Digital vs Film Image