Abstract.
The aim of our study was to evaluate a mammography unit capable of magnification of up to fourfold at an equivalent or lower dose than with current systems. A prototype mammography tube with an electron-beam-focusing technology resulting in a focal spot size of 40–120 μm was combined with a highly intensifying screen-film system. To evaluate contrast-detail resolution, phantom radiographs were performed with the prototype magnification mammography system using a magnification factor of 1.7 for survey views and a magnification factor of 4.0 for spot views. They were compared with unmagnified survey views and magnification spot views (magnification factor 1.9) of a state-of-the-art mammography system. The radiation exposure was measured and mean glandular doses were calculated. The contrast-detail resolution with both prototype (m = 1.7) and conventional (m = 1.1) survey views was equivalent while the entrance dose and the mean glandular dose were approximately 50 % lower with the prototype. For spot views, the contrast-detail resolution was substantially higher for the prototype than for conventional magnification while the dose was equivalent. Dose reduction and improved detail resolution are possible with this new technology.
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Received 3 April 1997; Revision received 22 July 1997; Accepted 3 September 1997
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Funke, M., Breiter, N., Hermann, KP. et al. Magnification survey and spot view mammography with a new microfocus X-ray unit: detail resolution and radiation exposure. Eur Radiol 8, 386–390 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050399
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050399