Patient Exposures from Film and Xeroradiographic Mammographic Techniques

Abstract

Radiation exposures of several mammographic imaging systems, including (a) industrial film, xeroradiographic plates, the Du Pont Lo-Dose vacuum-cassette screen-film combination exposed with a molybdenum target tube and (b) xeroradiographic plates exposed with a tungsten target, were investigated with a thin-window ionization chamber and a range of exposures for different breast sizes was determined for each technique. The Lo-Dose system was found to provide high-quality diagnostic images with minimal patient exposure.

Reconstruction of Absorbed Doses to Fibroglandular Tissue of the Breast of Women Undergoing Mammography (1960 to the Present)

“…Bicehouse (Bicehouse HJ, 1975 1 ) in a survey conducted in 70 facilities compared the use of industrial film with no screen film technique, xerography, low-dose technique and high density technique. Rothenberg (51) compared the use of senographe with AA film, Xerox plate or Low-Dose vacuum cassette system and tungsten tube with Xerox plate. Similarly, several authors (44,52,100–104) conducted surveys to assess the overall quality of mammography systems, typically mammography with no screen, film-screen mammography (Low-Dose) and xeroradiography.…”

“…Later in this period, protocols were adapted for optimal practice with other new technology developments: implementation of a molybdenum rotating anode that allowed lower exposure times (99), introduction of several screen/film combinations and various filters (10,14,48–50) (Bicehouse HJ, 1975 1 ) and finally, the introduction of xeroradiography (23,51,52) (Bicehouse HJ, 1975 1 ). Screen-film technology was more sensitive than the non-screen film technology, allowing for lower exposure.…”

“…During the 1970s and 1980s, the Egan and Gershon-Cohen protocols were modified to incorporate technology developments, such as the introduction of the Senographe, screen-film technology (10,14,48–50) (Bicehouse HJ,1975 1 ) and xeroradiography (23,51,52) (Bicehouse HJ, 1975 1 ). National surveys were implemented in the late 1970’s (Bicehouse HJ, 1975 1 ) (51), and the Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT) surveys were initiated in the US in the 1980s (53–57) to assess the overall quality of mammography practices and to estimate various radiation dose quantities.…”

“…National surveys were implemented in the late 1970’s (Bicehouse HJ, 1975 1 ) (51), and the Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT) surveys were initiated in the US in the 1980s (53–57) to assess the overall quality of mammography practices and to estimate various radiation dose quantities. The Mammography Quality Standards Act regulation (MQSA) was introduced by the U.S. FDA in the early 1990’s to regulate the use of mammography and provide accreditations (58).…”

Digital Mammography

“…Processes such as fi brosis, fi brocystic change and sclerosing adenosis are considered disorders of involution. It is less common for post menopausal women to have benign breast disease [ 43 ].…”