title: The effect of x-ray spectra from molybdenum and tungsten target tubes on image quality in mammography.
abstract: The measured x-ray spectra from a molybdenum anode Senographe mammography unit and a tungsten anode unit were used to calculate the x-ray energy spectra transmitted through various thicknesses of fat and water (breast-equivalent materials). The dependence of subject contrast and patient exposure on (a) x-ray spectra, (b) attenuation properties of two breast-equivalent materials, and (c) thickness of breast-equivalent material was predicted. Radiographs of resected breast tissue confirmed these predictions and demonstrated the general relative effects of x-ray beam quality on image contrast in mammography.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D008982:Molybdenum; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D014414:Tungsten; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D008982:Molybdenum; D014414:Tungsten