Microdosimetric analysis of radiation from a clinical mammography machine using realistic breast phantoms and a miniature proportional counter

We have measured the microdosimetric spectra of a Senographe 600T mammography machine employing an Mo target with 0.8 mm Be inherent filtration and 0.03 mm Mo added filtration, giving a half-value layer of 0.35 mm Al at 28 kVp. In all of our measurements a large collimator producing a 24cmx30cm field at 65 cm was used. Two different phantom compositions differing in the ratio of adipose to fibroglandular tissue were compared, using simulated breast material from Nuclear Associates. Spectra were taken at various depths and locations in simulated breasts of 3, 4 and 5 cm thickness. The detector used was a miniature proportional counter having outer dimensions of 5cmx1.8cm diameter, with a sensitive volume 0.5mmx0.5mm. The small dimensions of the counter and the cavity allowed total embedding in the breast material with minimal disturbance of the photon and secondary electron spectrum. Our results show that there can be changes in the radiation quality amounting to as much as 17% (as measured by the dose mean lineal energy, yD) between breasts of different thickness, at the same relative position within the breast. There is little difference due to breast composition. (author)