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Challenges in mammography: part 1, artifacts in digital mammography
William R Geiser1, Tamara Miner Haygood, Lumarie Santiago
1Department of Imaging Physics, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA. wgeiser@mdanderson.org
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|November 24, 2011
Summary
Artifacts on mammograms can hinder early breast cancer detection. This article details common digital mammography artifacts, their causes, and solutions to improve image quality for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Breast Imaging
Background:
- Early breast cancer detection relies on mammogram interpretation.
- Image artifacts degrade mammogram quality, posing challenges for healthcare professionals.
- Understanding and mitigating artifacts is crucial for diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illustrate artifact appearance in full field digital mammography.
- To review the causes of these artifacts.
- To discuss methods for artifact elimination in digital mammography.
Main Methods:
- Visual analysis of full field digital mammograms exhibiting artifacts.
- Review of literature and technical documentation regarding artifact origins.
- Development of practical strategies for artifact reduction and prevention.
Main Results:
- Detailed visual examples of various mammography artifacts are presented.
- Common causes including equipment malfunction, patient positioning, and processing errors are identified.
- Effective techniques for minimizing or eliminating artifacts are outlined.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing and addressing artifacts is essential for high-quality mammography.
- Implementation of artifact management strategies can enhance diagnostic confidence.
- This work provides a resource for improving digital mammography image integrity.
