recommended intervals for breast self examination and mammography
monthly for self examination beginning at 20, annually for physician physical exam beginning at 35, 1 baseline under 40, annually after 40 unless low risk, then biannually
diagnostic mammography
performed on pt w symptoms or elevated risks
screening mammography
performed on asymptomatic pt to detect unsuspected cancer
advantages of compression
improves spatial res, contrast res, and lower pt rad dose
image receptor characteristics
grid, compression plate, aec, and breast support
mammographer quality control duties
repeat rate does not exceed 1%, radiologist, medical physicist, and mammographer
x ray mam. target materials
molybdenum and phodium
high transmission cellular grid
designed specifically for mam. reduces scatter in two directions to be more focused
sensitivity
ability of a test to correctly identify those w the disease; highest=MRI
specificity
ability of the test to correctly identify those w/o disease; highest=mammogram
target composition for mammogram
tungsten. molybdenum, or rhodium
DMIST- digital mammography imaging study trial
demonstrated contrast res is more important than spatial res for diagnostic efficiency
three principle tissues of breast
fibrous, glandular, and adipose
tomosynthesis
3D mammography allows for a better view without obstruction from overlapping tissue structures