Comparison of kVp and PPV measurements between a constant potential and a clinical X-ray system used for calibration in mammography

The PPV is an electrical quantity that relates the peak voltage with the radiological image contrast, thus having a larger clinical application. By definition, in an X-ray system, the 'PPV is a quantity based on the concept that the radiation generated by a high voltage source with an arbitrary wave source produces the same radiographic contrast that the radiation generated by a high voltage source with an equivalent constant potential'. The Instruments Calibration Laboratory (LCI) of IPEN has the mammography qualities established in a constant potential system (industrial X-ray system), and also in a clinical system (mammograph). The objective of this study was to analyze the PPV behavior in these systems, and try to reach calibration conditions that are more similar to the work conditions in hospitals and clinics. For this, it was used an industrial X-ray (constant potential) and a mammography system (high frequency). The first system has a tungsten (W) target, and additional filtration of aluminum (Al) and molybdenum (Mo), and the second one has a Mo target and additional filtration of Mo and rhodium (Rh). A non-invasive measuring system from PTW model Diavolt was used to PPV determination. The voltages used were 25 kV, 28 kV, 30 kV and 35 kV (calibration qualities in mammography, according to the IEC 61267). The Diavolt was placed one meter from the focal spot in the industrial X-ray system, and 60 cm for the clinical system. (author)