Question

answer in detail.
Regarding mammography: (3pages )
a) Describe how a mammography machine works
b) How does it differ from a conventional X-ray machine and why?
c) Why do we use mammography?
d) Describe the potential risks and safety matters.

Answer 1

a)The mammography machine looks like a rectangular box that houses the tube in which x-rays are produced.Itis specially designed for examining breast features,that allows only the breast tissues to exposed to the x-rays.A part of the devoice holds and compresses the breasts so that the images from different angles will be obtained.The newer type of 3D mammogram is known as breast tomosynthesis.In breast tomosynthesis, the x-ray tube moves in the arc over the breast,capturing multiple images from different angles.The machine takes x-rays at lower doses than usual x-rays.The machine has two plates that compress to spread the tissues and gives best picture.An average dose of radiation of a 3D mammogram with two views of each breast is 0.4 millisieverts or mSv.The following are the parts of a typical mammaography machine.

• X-ray tube anode

-used to produce a characteristic radiation spectrum.

• Filter

- to optimize the system ,for contrast sensitivity

• Focal parts
• Compression
• Grid

-to absorb scattered radaition and improve contrast sensitivity

• Receptor

-both films and digital receptors are used.

b)Digital mammograms

Use less radiation.these are of good clarity pictures and capable of altering pictures afterwards.

Abnormalities can be detected more accurately.

False positive results can be avoided maximum.

easily catches very small early changes of cancer.

Conventional x-ray

Uses x-ray radiation to produce an image of the breast.

May be used for a symptomless person.

They rely only on films.

More chance of false positive or inaccurate diagnosis.

c)Used for early detection of breast cancer sometimes even three years prior to the appearance of symptoms.

d)Potential risks

• It will expose a person to lower dose of radiation
• It may not be accurate always.
• It may be difficult to interpret the case of young girls who has more glands and ligaments in that area.As women get older they may become fattier and have lesser glands so it would be more easier to interpret in them.
• Some changes cannot be seen which was felt during physical examination.

Safety

The radiologists should use the safety code which is recommended.Though there is only a less radiation which cause least harm to the fetus women in pregnancy should be avoided as far as possible.