Evaluation of the spatial resolution and the dose in magnified breast simulation in function of collimation system

Mammography screening remains the best method for monitoring breast pathologies for its ability to detect microcalcifications and a need for follow-up of asymptomatic patients. Mammography exams are often necessary magnified technique of an anatomical region of interest to supplement the examination. These exams require a attention due to proximity to the X ray tube resulting in increasing dose in the patient breast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate spatial resolution and the kerma-area product doses in magnified mammography for thicker breasts in function of system collimation. Measurements were performed to evaluate high contrast spatial resolution and estimated dose related to each exposure in magnified images. The spatial resolution were evaluated with spatial resolution pattern model 18-251 by Fluke Biomedical® and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plates. Two mammography equipment were tested, Philips-VMI® model Graph Mammo AF and Hologic® Lorad model MIV-113R. The air kerma for each exposure was measured by ionization chamber - Radcal® - model 10 X 6-6M dedicated to mammography and the kerma-area product was estimated. Preliminary results demonstrated that kerma-area product for the Philips-VMI® equipment were significantly higher - about 3 times - than the estimated kerma-area product doses of the Hologic® Lorad and the resolution was reduced when the image was performed without collimation. This fact can be explained due to Philips-VMI® equipment does not have a collimation system. Additionally, the Hologic® Lorad equipment presented better image quality compared to Philips equipment. (author)