Breast calcification and mass detection with mammographic anode-filter combinations of molybdenum, tungsten, and rhodium.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether contrast loss on mammograms obtained with tungsten (W)-molybdenum (Mo), rhodium (Rh)-Rh, and W-Rh anode-filter units affects calcification and mass detection relative to that on mammograms obtained with Mo-Mo anode-filter units.


METHODS
Three unfixed cadaveric breasts of 4.0-, 5.5-, or 7.0-cm thickness were imaged with three mammographic units with Mo-Mo, W-Mo, Rh-Rh, and W-Rh anode-filter combinations. Calcification clusters (<300 microm in diameter) and masses (0.5-1.2 cm) placed on the cadaveric breasts simulated abnormal mammograms. Thirty-five images without and 57 images with added calcifications and masses were acquired with a 180-speed screen-film system and interpreted by four mammographic specialists. With a 150-speed screen-film system, 10 normal images and 30 abnormal images with added calcifications were obtained with Mo-Mo and Rh-Rh equipment and read by three of the four radiologists.


RESULTS
For the 180-speed system, there were statistically significant differences (P < .05) in detection of calcifications on Mo-Mo images compared with W-Mo, Rh-Rh, and W-Rh images. These differences disappeared with the 150-speed system. For mass detection with the 180-speed system, W-Rh was significantly better than Mo-Mo (P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Dose savings and increased penetration with Rh-Rh and W-Rh anode-filter combinations may decrease calcification detection if fast screen-film systems are used, but mass detection may be improved.
Kimme-Smith
C M
CM
Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, 90095-1721, USA.
Sayre
J W
JW
McCombs
M M
MM
DeBruhl
N D
ND
Bassett
L W
LW
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002102:Cadaver; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry; D015588:Observer Variation; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012238:Rhodium / Q000737:chemistry; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens
D008982:Molybdenum; D012238:Rhodium; D014414:Tungsten