Related Experiment Videos
[Digital storage phosphor mammography in a magnification technic: experimental studies for spatial resolution and for
M Funke1, K P Hermann, N Breiter
1Abteilung Röntgendiagnostik I, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
Purpose:
Since the routine use of storage phosphor systems for mammography has been limited by its inadequate spatial resolution of 5 linepairs/mm, a combination of a magnification mammography technique with storage phosphor plates was investigated to detect microcalcifications.
Material And Methods:
A new mammography system with a microfocus tube using an anode of 0.05-0.12 mm allowed to obtain survey views of the breast with 1.7x magnification (m), and spot views with 4x magnification. The digital image receptor comprised a high resolution storage phosphor plate. To determine spatial resolution, contrast transfer curves were obtained, and the detection of microcalcifications was investigated by ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis.
Results:
Spatial resolution for digital survey views (m = 1.7) was 8 linepairs/mm and for spot views (m = 4) was 18 linepairs/mm. ROC analysis demonstrated a significantly higher performance of the digital magnification technique compared to the conventional screen-film mammography technique.
Conclusions:
The limitations of digital mammography with respect to spatial resolution can be overcome by using a high magnification technique.