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Clinical Imaging of Microwave Mammography
Published on: November 14, 2025
Development of acceptability criteria in mammography
K Faulkner1, J F Malone, H Bosmans
1Quality Assurance Reference Centre, North East Strategic Health Authority, Waterfront 4, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8NY, UK.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|November 22, 2012
Summary
Quality assurance for X-ray mammography equipment is crucial for breast cancer screening. This study establishes consensus on acceptability criteria for all mammographic equipment, ensuring consistent image quality for diagnostic radiology.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Quality Assurance
Background:
- X-ray mammography quality assurance (QA) standards are highly developed due to stringent image quality demands in breast cancer screening.
- Existing qualitative and quantitative acceptability criteria for mammography are based on screening program needs.
- Two key issues complicate consensus: applicability to symptomatic women and reliance on phantom-based image quality assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a consensus on acceptability criteria for X-ray mammography equipment.
- To propose unified qualitative and quantitative criteria applicable to all mammographic devices.
- To address the transposition of screening-based standards to symptomatic patient imaging and refine image quality assessment methods.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing quality assurance protocols and performance standards for X-ray mammography.
- Facilitation of consensus-building discussions on contentious issues, including applicability to symptomatic women and image quality assessment methods.
- Development of proposed qualitative and quantitative acceptability criteria based on expert agreement.
Main Results:
- General agreement was reached that a single set of acceptability criteria should apply to all mammographic X-ray equipment, regardless of patient indication.
- The limitations of observer-based image quality assessment methods were acknowledged, leading to a consensus on refined approaches.
- Consensus was achieved on qualitative and quantitative criteria for mammographic equipment, though some image display criteria were deferred due to robustness concerns.
Conclusions:
- A unified set of acceptability criteria for X-ray mammography equipment has been established, balancing screening and symptomatic imaging needs.
- Consensus on image quality assessment methods was developed, recognizing the need for robust and reliable techniques.
- Further research is required for specific areas, such as image display criteria, to ensure comprehensive quality assurance in mammography.
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