J Korean Soc Radiol.  2012 Dec;67(6):451-459. 10.3348/jksr.2012.67.6.451.

A Study on the Improvement of Safety Testing Standards and Methods for Mammography

• Jo S
• Choi SH
• Jung AY
• Yong HS
• Park JK
• Kim DW
• Jang GW
• Cha SH

• KMID: 2097981
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2012.67.6.451

Abstract

PURPOSE
To establish the improved national safety testing standards and methods for mammography.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We investigated and compared the current status of mammographic equipment installation with the national and international safety and quality control programs and methods. We established and verified the draft for safety testing standards and methods.
RESULTS
We propose that the investigations of the conductor system, hardware leakage radiation profile, illumination intensity test, comparison between X-ray and light photon exposure, X-ray dose exposure on the chest wall, compression equipment size, timing equipment, and the average effective radiation dose, should all be maintained as they are in the present state without any changes. However, the exposure radiation dose reproducibility, kVp and mAs, and the half value layer tests should be reconsidered and revised. Moreover, compression pressure and autonomic exposure control system (AEC) tests should be included as new criteria. Other parameter controls included in the phantom image analysis which overlap with total quality assurance should be excluded.
CONCLUSION
We recommend that AEC and compression pressure tests should be included as new criteria and the methods for the exposure radiation dose reproducibility, kVp, and mAs, and half value layer tests should be reconsidered and revised.

MeSH Terms

Breast
Light
Lighting
Mammography
Mandatory Testing
Quality Control
Safety Management
Thoracic Wall

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