Comparison of Mean Glandular Dose between Full-Field Digital Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis

Abstract

Early detection of breast cancer is diagnosed using mammography, the gold standard in breast screening. However, its increased use also provokes radiation-induced breast malignancy. Thus, monitoring and regulating the mean glandular dose (MGD) is essential. The purpose of this study was to determine MGD for full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the radiology department of a single centre. We also analysed the exposure factors as a function of breast thickness. A total of 436 patients underwent both FFDM and DBT. MGD was auto calculated by the mammographic machine for each projection. Patients’ data included compressed breast thickness (CBT), peak kilovoltage (kVp), milliampere-seconds (mAs) and MGD (mGy). Result analysis showed that there is a significant difference in MGD between the two systems, namely FFDM and DBT. However, the MGD values in our centre were comparable to other centres, as well as the European guideline (<2.5 mGy) for a standard breast. Although DBT improves the clinical outcome and quality of diagnosis, the risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis should not be neglected. Regular quality control testing on mammography equipment must be performed for dose monitoring in women following a screening mammography in the future.

Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Full-Field Digital Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis in a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

“…A study by Gennaro et al (2018) concluded that the average increase of DBT dose compared to FFDM was 38%, and a range between 0 % and 75% [ 7 ]. Although another study by Teoh et al (2021) found dose in DBT was slightly higher than in FFDM, in CC projection, AGD of FFDM showed somewhat higher than DBT [3.37 mGy vs. 1.86 mGy] and vice versa in the MLO view [1.37 mGy vs. 1.88 mGy] [ 28 ]. The high dose observed in DBT compared to FFDM is primarily due to the technology of DBT.…”

Magnetic Levitation of Personalized Nanoparticle–Protein Corona as an Effective Tool for Cancer Detection

“…Mammography represents the gold standard for breast cancer screening and early diagnosis. However, toxicity induced by the use of radiation and the risk of radiation-induced cancer in young women is not negligible [23]. Colonoscopy, strongly recommended for early colorectal cancer detection, is an invasive examination that can be burdened by severe complications, such as bowel perforation.…”

Evaluation of average glandular dose (AGD) in screening and diagnostic digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) towards establishing a reference dose range band (DRB): a developing country experience

“…Recent advancements in technology have introduced reconstruction algorithms that directly generate 2D synthetic mammography (2DSM) images from the DBT dataset, which are comparable in diagnostic performance to FFDM and do not require additional radiation exposure [18,19]. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate radiation doses and risks associated with mammographic examinations to determine the benefits of such exams [20]. It is also essential to analyze recall rates and the relationship between various mammographic parameters, such as compressed breast thickness (CBT), exposure factors, and target/filter combination of DBT and DM, to optimise the radiation dose.…”