Direct digital mammography: radiation dose estimation comparing the imaging quality in patients

A comparative study between the Average Glandular Dose and the image quality parameters obtained in 200 mimeographs made in a direct-digital mammography equipment (GE Senografe DS) has been carried out. The values of AGD (average=1.75mGy) obtained are under the reference levels of dose recommended by current publications. also, a comparison between the AGD and the compressed breast thickness is presented. Finally, the image quality analysis is shown by means of the utilization of two breast phantoms. The results obtained demonstrate that digital mammography equipment have advantages in the sharp visualization of structures such as nodules, microcalcifications and fibroblasts, although this visualization depends on the resolution of the equipment's used in the Workstations where they will be analyzed (in this case, high-resolution monitors of 5 megapixels). (Author)