Does residual ultrasound transmission gel affect the diagnostic ability of mammography?

This study aimed to assess whether residual ultrasound transmission gel (USTG) caused artifacts in mammography using a model 156 mammographic accreditation phantom and step phantom. Moreover, pig tissues with structures similar to those of the breast were imaged to assess whether USTG on the tissue appeared as a shadow on the mammogram, and how these shadows may be interpreted in clinical practice. The results showed that the visualization scores obtained for phantom mammograms decreased significantly for the fiber and mass samples after the application of USTG. Moreover, USTG on the tissues affected the visual evaluation of mammograms, leading to misinterpretation of mammographic findings.