Mammography is a radiological examination of the breast and is the most effective for diagnosing breast cancers early. Direct digital mammography allows a reduction in the radiation dose. The traditional mammography image is an image on film which, after being made, is no longer editable.The breast radiologically is made up of areas with different densities, since these areas will be reproduced in a single image, there will be well-studied areas next to areas that are not well represented 3d mammograminFairLawn.
One of the factors hindering the diagnosis of tumors on mammography is that the tumor lump has too little contrast between the surrounding tissue.Since the digital image can be processed, the density differences are overcome after acquisition, making diagnosis easier.
There is an indirect digital (CR method) already to be preferred to the analog system for:
> optimal contrast
> absence of artifacts (dirty cassettes)
> reading on the monitor
> the image that can be processed and transmitted
However, not all CR systems proposed allow a ‘diagnostic accuracy superior to analog mammography.Dedicated direct digital machines undoubtedly give better results than the indirect digitalization methodology.
Digitization is achieved by photostimulable phosphor plates (indirect CR method) or by flat-panel systems that use substances that transform X-rays into light rays, the plates used contain elements capable of transforming the lines into electronic signals. The image is processed on a high definition monitor. Digital mammography has greater sensitivity than the traditional system, managing to compensate for any exposure limits.
Direct digital mammography systems can be 18 × 24 or 24 × 30 in size. From a protectionist point of view, it is preferable to use detectors with larger dimensions, because they considerably reduce the radiation dose.Digital reduces the radiation dose by 30% with expected reduction factors of 30-50% compared to analog.
The main advantages of digital are to separate the recording of the image from the moment of viewing.In digital mammography, the mammographic picture is captured and recorded electronically and then processed, analyzed and then displayed. Each of these moments in digital mammography can be improved and therefore optimized.The radiation dose could be further reduced as the optimization avoids the repetition of examinations and sometimes mammographic enlargements.The availability of digital images allows the creation of computer archives and the remote transmission of mammography.
The acquisition, processing, display and archiving of the image on the monitor allows the optimization of the various processes because these moments are separate and therefore all can be improved.