Mammography Physics and Technology
for effective clinical imaging
 

Objectives and Learning Activities

1.      Explain why mammography requires a high contrast sensitivity compared to most other radiographic procedures.

2.      Explain why mammography requires the highest visibility of detail (lowest blurring) of all radiographic procedures.

3.      Describe, and demonstrate if possible, how the different image quality characteristics of a mammography imaging procedure can be evaluated using a standard test phantom.

4.    Describe the general anatomical conditions associated with a breast that can have an effect on contrast sensitivity.

5.      Describe how breast compression improves image quality.

6.      Describe the general relationship between x-ray beam photon energy and dose to the breast.

7.      Describe the general relationship between x-ray beam photon energy and contrast sensitivity in soft tissue.

8.      Identify the general range of x-ray beam photon energies is generally optimum for mammography.

9.      Describe and sketch the general spectral characteristics of an x-ray beam used for mammography as produced with a molybdenum anode.

10.  Explain and illustrate the function of filters (molybdenum and rhodium) that as used in mammography.

11.  Identify the clinical conditions when it is most appropriate to use a rhodium filter.

12.  Identify  appropriate KV values that are appropriate to use for the arrange of breast thicknesses.

13.  Explain the control factors that an operator must select when using automatic spectral selection in mammography.

14.  Briefly described the contrast characteristics of film used for mammography in comparison to other radiographic procedures.

15.  Describe the significant of level of exposure (density) that must be considered during mammography procedures with respect to film contrast.

16.  Identify conditions that can result in film exposure errors in mammography.

17.  Explain why the level of development is  important  when processing mammography films.

18.  Identify several conditions that can result in under development of mammography films.

19.  Explain why it is necessary to have consistent processing of mammography films.

20.  Describe the special viewing conditions required for observing  mammography films.