Processing of mammographic films: technical and clinical considerations.
Sensitometrically exposed film strips and clinical mammograms from single-emulsion Kodak Ortho M SO-177 and double-emulsion Kodak T-Mat M II films were processed in separate film processors set up for standard and extended-cycle processing. For the extended-cycle method, it is necessary to use a process that is dedicated to mammographic films only. Radiation dose reductions of approximately 30% for Ortho M film and 13% for T-Mat M II film were achieved with the extended-cycle process. In the mammogram comparisons, higher-contrast images were obtained with Ortho M film in the extended-cycle process, which allowed for improved demonstration of marginal structural characteristics of soft-tissue masses and better differentiation of benign and malignant tumors. No significant differences in contrast were observed in the T-Mat M II mammograms obtained with the extended-cycle process.
Falun Central Hospital, Sweden.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D014962:X-Ray Film