Rashmi Jayadevan MD, MBA, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

M. Julie Armada MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rola M. Shaheen MBBS, MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Constance Mulcahy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Priscilla Jennings Slanetz MD, MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Routine mammographic screening has been shown to reduce mortality from breast cancer by up to 30%. In order to maximize this benefit, close attention to image quality is critical. While quality control processes for analog mammography are well-established, given the increasing utilization of digital units, it is essential that breast specialists be familiar with the steps and the inherent challenges for digital mammography. The purpose of this exhibit is: 1) To review the steps of the quality control process for digital mammography with special attention to artifacts that might be encountered and their potential impact on image quality. 2) To delineate the specific roles of the imaging team in identification and remedy of commonly encountered digital artifacts.     

The exhibit will be divided into three main components: 1. Artifacts encountered by the technologist or physicist during the routine QC (quality control) process including those related to daily QC (detector non-uniformity, detector cleanliness), weekly QC (flat field test, phantom malfunctions), and monthly QC (AOP and SNR checks). 2. Artifacts encountered by radiologist or technologist during daily workflow, such as defective detector pixels, ghosting and printer calibration. 3. Artifacts related to the patient such as skin ointment, antiperspirant or motion.   

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14009232/14009232_ywc7.pdf

Jayadevan, R, Armada, M, Shaheen, R, Mulcahy, C, Slanetz, P, Optimizing Digital Mammographic Image Quality: Common Artifacts Encountered During the QC Process.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14009232.html