1. 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
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Learning objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the students will be able to: …
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IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Densitometer
19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography

7. 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

8. 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 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. Where to Get More Information
European protocol for the quality control of the physical and technical aspects of mammography screening.
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.
19.08 : Optimization of protection in Mammography