Dose reduction in full-field digital mammography - An anthropomorphic breast phantom study.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of radiation dose reduction in full-field digital mammography (FFDM) compared to screen-film mammography (SFM). An anthropomorphic breast phantom with superimposed microcalcifications (50-20mum) was used to evaluate the detectability of microcalcifications. Images were exposed automatically (AEC mode) using a Mo/Mo anode-filter-combination (protocol A). Dose reduction in digital mammography was achieved by using protocol B with Mo/Rh and protocol C with Rh/Rh. The detectability of microcalcifications was assessed by 3 well-experienced readers with a confidence level ranging from I to 5. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. Compared to screen-film mammography the digital mammography system allows an equivalent detection rate for microcalcifications at a lower radiation exposure.