Alison L. Chetlen DO, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Steven Harold King MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Karen L. Brown MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Brian Lorah, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Susann Emelie Schetter DO, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Claudia Jane Kasales MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shelley Tuzzato, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shelly Rambler, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To quantify scatter radiation dose received by the thyroid gland, salivary gland, lens of eye, sternum, and uterus during screening digital mammography and evaluate the relationship between radiation dose wtih respect to the patient's body mass index, breast compression thickness, and breast composition.  

One hundred women wore six optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters, one on each thyroid lobe, right salivary gland, nasal bridge, sternum, and umbilicus during her two view screening mammogram.  Skin doses were then obtained.  Other parameters including age, height, weight, body mass index, and breast composition (density) were recorded.  For each mammographic view, the kVp, mAs, target and filter combination, breast compression thickness, compression force, average glandular dose and estimated skin dose were recorded.   Finally, scatter radiation dose to the thyroid gland, sternum, bridge of nose, right salivary gland, and umbilicus were plotted against Body Mass Index, Breast Composition (Density), and breast compression thickness.

Measured skin dose to the bridge of the nose and umbilicus was negligible.  The average skin dose to the sternum was 1.1 mGy.  The average skin dose to the right salivary gland was 0.29 mGy.  The average skin dose to the right and left thyroid lobes was 0.33 mGy.   Radiation dose decreased slightly with increasing breast density.  Scatter radiation dose increased with increasing body mass index and with increased breast compression thickness.

Measured skin dose to the bridge of the eye and umbilicus was negligible indicating there is no risk to the patient of cataracts or teratogenic effects in early pregnancy.  Measured skin dose at the salivary gland, thyroid gland, and sternum was very low. The risk of cancer induction at these low levels is indistinguishable from the background incidence of cancer due to other sources.

Scatter radiation from screening mammography is minimal, resulting in negligible risk to the patient. Use of thyroid shields to reduce risk even further is not recommended.

Chetlen, A, King, S, Brown, K, Lorah, B, Schetter, S, Kasales, C, Tuzzato, S, Rambler, S, Scatter Radiation Dose During Screening Mammography to the Thyroid Gland, Salivary Gland, Lens of Eye, Sternum, and Uterus.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12021734.html