Optimization of peak kilovoltage and spectral shape for digital mammography

Rebecca Fahrig; Andrew D. A. Maidment; Martin Joel Yaffe

doi:10.1117/12.59405

1 June 1992 Optimization of peak kilovoltage and spectral shape for digital mammography

Rebecca Fahrig, Andrew D. A. Maidment, Martin Joel Yaffe

Proceedings Volume 1651, Medical Imaging VI: Instrumentation; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.59405
Event: Medical Imaging VI, 1992, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

X-ray mammography is one of the most demanding radiological techniques, simultaneously requiring excellent image quality and low dose to the breast. In current mammographic practice, both image quality and dose are found to vary over a wide range of values. Previous attempts to define the optimum operating parameters for mammography systems have been limited due to the lack of realistic attenuation coefficients and absorbed dose data. These data are now available, and have been incorporated into an energy transport model which describes the image acquisition process. The model includes measured x-ray spectra and considers beam filtration, breast thickness and composition, lesion size and composition, scatter, grid transmission, and the production and propagation of light in a phosphor-based image receptor. The applied kilovoltage for molybdenum and tungsten target x-ray sources with various spectral filters and average breast composition (50% adipose, 50% fibroglandular) has been optimized with respect to signal-to-noise ratio and absorbed dose and was found to vary between 19 and 29 kVp as breast thickness increased from 4 to 8 cm. Preliminary results for various breast compositions and lesions, and experimental verification of the model are presented. The model may be extended to include either mammographic film or new detector designs for digital mammography.

Citation Download Citation

Rebecca Fahrig, Andrew D. A. Maidment, and Martin Joel Yaffe "Optimization of peak kilovoltage and spectral shape for digital mammography", Proc. SPIE 1651, Medical Imaging VI: Instrumentation, (1 June 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.59405

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