Digital detectors for mammography: the technical challenges.
This paper reviews the different techniques available and competing for full-field digital mammography. The detectors are described in their principles: photostimulable storage phosphor plates inserted as a cassette in a conventional mammography unit, dedicated active matrix detectors (i.e., flat-panel, thin-film transistor-based detectors) and scanning systems, using indirect and direct X-ray conversion. The main parameters that characterize the performances of the current systems and influence the quality of digital images are briefly explained: spatial resolution, detective quantum efficiency and modulation transfer function. Overall performances are often the result of compromises in the choice of technology.
Centre Alexis Vautrin, Unité de Radiophysique Médicale, Paris, France.
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Noel
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Thibault
D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*