[The oblique projection in the radiologic study of the breast]

In order to verify the diagnostic value of the oblique view (O) in Mammography, we analyzed the results obtained in 3,833 patients examined with Mammography or Xerography. 2,076 patients were examined with conventional methodology (including cranio-caudal--CC--view and medio-lateral--ML--view at the first exam and at the follow-up exams). 1,307 patients were examined with methodology including also O view (CC and O at the first exam and the O only at the exams of follow-up). We compared the diagnostic possibilities of the two groups of patients about detection of focal lesions confirmed by histologic results; and their "cost" in terms of exposure-dose to the patients. We observed a better diagnostic capacity (+3.5%) for the methodology including the oblique view; moreover we observed in this methodology an important reduction (-20%) of the exposure-dose to the patients.