RADIATION PROTECTION IN DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Part No...., Module No....Lesson No Module title IAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology RADIATION PROTECTION IN DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Part 19.08: Optimization of protection in Mammography Practical exercise Part …: (Add part number and title) Module…: (Add module number and title) Lesson …: (Add session number and title) Learning objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the students will be able to: … . (Add a list of what the students are expected to learn or be able to do upon completion of the session) Activity: (Add the method used for presenting or conducting the lesson – lecture, demonstration, exercise, laboratory exercise, case study, simulation, etc.) Duration: (Add presentation time or duration of the session – hrs) Materials and equipment needed: (List materials and equipment needed to conduct the session, if appropriate) References: (List the references for the session) IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources

Part No...., Module No....Lesson No Module title Overview To be able to apply quality control protocols to mammography equipment To carry out film sensitometry-densitometry Interpretation of results Explanation or/and additional information Instructions for the lecturer/trainer 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources

Part 19.08: Optimization of protection in Mammography Part No...., Module No....Lesson No Module title IAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Part 19.08: Optimization of protection in Mammography Processor evaluation Part …: (Add part number and title) Module…: (Add module number and title) Lesson …: (Add session number and title) Learning objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the students will be able to: … . (Add a list of what the students are expected to learn or be able to do upon completion of the session) Activity: (Add the method used for presenting or conducting the lesson – lecture, demonstration, exercise, laboratory exercise, case study, simulation, etc.) Duration: (Add presentation time or duration of the session – hrs) Materials and equipment needed: (List materials and equipment needed to conduct the session, if appropriate) References: (List the references for the session) IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources

Sensitometry (1) Use a sensitometer to expose a film to light and insert the exposed side into the processor first Measure the optical densities of the step-wedge with a densitometer 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Sensitometry (2) The values of interest are the base-plus-fog level of the film, the mid-density, and density difference 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Densitometer 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Sensitometric strip A method of exposing film by means of a sensitometer and assessing the response of film to exposure and development 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Film sensitometry parameters Base + fog: The optical density of a film due to its base density plus any action of the developer on the unexposed emulsion, or possibly darkroom fog Mid-Density: Measured on a step of the wedge with an optical density close to, but not less than 1.20. The mid-density is related to the speed of the film. Density Difference: The difference between two steps on the wedge closest to 0.45 and 2.20. Note: The steps producing these densities are chosen with fresh chemistry and film. These same steps are then used for all future quality control measurements. 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Control film One, or more, box(es) of film selected and used only for quality control purposes. When changing from one control emulsion to another a cross-over procedure must be carried out (see ACR QC Manual). The control film must be the same emulsion type as is usually processed in the processor. If more than one type of film is processed, e.g., mammography and general radiography films, both types of film must be used for quality control purposes. 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Processor QC Essentials A photographic step wedge should be exposed daily and processed before any clinical films are processed. Densities should be plotted on a control chart (see Chapters 2 and 5, Gray, et al. for details on control charts, and ACR Mammography QC Manual) 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Control limits for mammography films   19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Key to processor QC The key to processor is consistency in all aspects— Using the same sensitometer and densitometer Using the same control emulsion (or carrying out a crossover procedure when going to a new emulsion batch) Immediately plotting the data on a control chart and analyzing the chart to determine if correction action is needed Recording the correction action for future reference 19.8 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

Where to Get More Information European protocol for the quality control of the physical and technical aspects of mammography screening. http://euref.org/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=1&Itemid=8 American College of Radiology Mammography Quality Control Manual, Reston VA, 1999. Quality Control in Diagnostic Imaging, Gray JE, Winkler NT, Stears J, Frank ED. Available at no cost. http://www.diquad.com/QC%20Book.html 19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography