Optimizing quality of digital mammographic imaging using Taguchi analysis with an ACR accreditation phantom.
This work demonstrated the improvement of the visualization of lesions by modulating the factors of an X-ray mammography imaging system using Taguchi analysis. Optimal combinations of X-ray operating factors in each group of level combination were determined using the Taguchi method, in which all factors were organized into only 18 groups, yielding analytical results with the same confidence as if each factor had been examined independently. The 4 considered operating factors of the X-ray machine were (1) anode material (target), (2) kVp, (3) mAs and (4) field of view (FOV). Each of these factors had 2 or 3 levels. Therefore, 54 (2×3×3×3 = 54) combinations were generated. The optimal settings were Rh as the target, 28 kVp, 80 mAs and 19×23 cm(2) FOV. The grade of exposed mammographic phantom image increased from the automatic exposure control (AEC) setting 70.92 to 72.00 under the optimal setting, meeting the minimum standard (70.00) set by Taiwan's Department of Health. The average glandular dose (AGD) of the exposed phantom, 0.182 cGy, was lower than that, 0.203 cGy, under the AEC setting. The Taguchi method was extremely promising for the design of imaging protocols in clinical diagnosis.
a Graduate Institute of Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology Takun , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.|b Department of Nuclear Medicine , Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.
Ching-Yuan
CY
Chen
a Graduate Institute of Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology Takun , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.|c Department of Cardiology , Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.
Lung-Fa
LF
Pan
a Graduate Institute of Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology Takun , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.|d Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.
Fu-Tsai
FT
Chiang
e Department of Diagnostic Radiology , Chung Shan Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.|f School of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.
Da-Ming
DM
Yeh
a Graduate Institute of Radiological Science, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology Takun , Taichung , Taiwan, ROC.
Lung-Kwang
LK
Pan
D000068:Accreditation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008327:Mammography; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014965:X-Rays
Taguchi; characteristic; image; mammography; phantom; quality