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Breast compression in mammography is used to obtain suitable imaging. Compression reduces breast thickness and spreads the tissue, leading to improved image quality and reduced radiation dose. Breast compression is, however, uncomfortable for clients, and may often cause strong pain. In this study, we obtained pressure distribution and X-ray images of a
compressed breast simulated phantom using a pressure sensor. The purpose of this study was to visualize the pressure distribution and measure how much the phantom was spread by compression. The pressure sensor was placed on a breast support table, and the breast phantom was positioned in the medio-lateral oblique direction. Compression was applied in steps of 20 N from 40- 180 N. Indicated values of the pressure sensor and width of the compressed phantom were measured at each increased force step. Width differences from a non-compressed phantom were calculated at each applied compression force. The pressure distribution showed nonuniform pressure over the breast phantom, and high pressure in the juxta-thoracic region, which decreased toward the periphery. The width of the breast increased with increasing applied compression force in all positions, but the change became smaller after 140 N. By visualizing the pressure, we were able to evaluate the pressure distribution over all of the phantom.
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