Breast calcification and mass detection with mammographic anode-filter combinations of molybdenum, tungsten, and rhodium

• Published in: Radiology Vol. 203; no. 3; p. 679
• Main Authors: Kimme-Smith, C M, Sayre, J W, McCombs, M M, DeBruhl, N D, Bassett, L W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-1997
• Subjects: Aged; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Cadaver; Calcinosis - diagnostic imaging; Equipment Design; Female; Filtration - instrumentation; Humans; Mammography - instrumentation; Mammography - methods; Molybdenum - chemistry; Observer Variation; Radiation Dosage; Radiographic Image Enhancement - instrumentation; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Rhodium - chemistry; Tungsten - chemistry; X-Ray Intensifying Screens
• ISSN: 0033-8419
• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.203.3.9169688

To determine whether contrast loss on mammograms obtained with tungsten (W)-molybdenum (Mo), rhodium (Rh)-Rh, and W-Rh anode-filter units affects calcification and mass detection relative to that on mammograms obtained with Mo-Mo anode-filter units.
Three unfixed cadaveric breasts of 4.0-, 5.5-, or 7.0-cm thickness were imaged with three mammographic units with Mo-Mo, W-Mo, Rh-Rh, and W-Rh anode-filter combinations. Calcification clusters (<300 microm in diameter) and masses (0.5-1.2 cm) placed on the cadaveric breasts simulated abnormal mammograms. Thirty-five images without and 57 images with added calcifications and masses were acquired with a 180-speed screen-film system and interpreted by four mammographic specialists. With a 150-speed screen-film system, 10 normal images and 30 abnormal images with added calcifications were obtained with Mo-Mo and Rh-Rh equipment and read by three of the four radiologists.
For the 180-speed system, there were statistically significant differences (P < .05) in detection of calcifications on Mo-Mo images compared with W-Mo, Rh-Rh, and W-Rh images. These differences disappeared with the 150-speed system. For mass detection with the 180-speed system, W-Rh was significantly better than Mo-Mo (P = .02).
Dose savings and increased penetration with Rh-Rh and W-Rh anode-filter combinations may decrease calcification detection if fast screen-film systems are used, but mass detection may be improved.