MAGNIFICATION MAMMOGRAPHY - LOW-DOSE TECHNIQUE

Image quality and radiation exposures of a mammographic technique using direct radiographic magnification at 2 x with a microfocal spot x-ray tube and a fast, double screen-film system were compared to those of conventional contact mammography with a rare-earth screen and molybdenum target tube. The results indicate that the magnification technique yields improved detection of microcalcifications and comparable visualization of soft-tissue details, with a large reduction in radiation exposure. This technique has demonstrated the feasibility of carrying out high-quality mammography with an entrance dose of 1.35 x 10-3 Gy (135 mrad) for the average breast.