J Korean Radiol Soc.  1979 Jun;15(1):244-253. 10.3348/jkrs.1979.15.1.244.

Studies of breast masses in Korean women using tungsten anode mammography

• Suh CO
• Oh KK
• Lee KS

• KMID: 2349372
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1979.15.1.244

Abstract

Mammography is the oldest and the most popular method in the diagosis of breast disease and received the special attention as the powerful instrument in in early detection of breast cancer. In Korea, the mammography has not been widely used, yet, but nowadays, increasing incidnece of breast cancer and good prognosis after early detection and proper treatment need the clinical application of mammography for management of patient with breast disease and for the detection of occult cancer. The technique obtaining the good quality film is essential for improving the diagnostic accuracy of mammogaphy in breast disease and in general, excellent film radiographs ofbreast can be obtained with proper combination of Kvp, processing, selection of fine grained film, fine focus tubeand compression. In present study, radiographic technique was used in which 36-40 Kvp and 200 mAs were derived from a small focus Tungsten Anode tube. Medio-lateral and Cranio-caudad view were taken using Acryl compression device, which was specially designed by authors in order to properly examine the small, dense breasts of Korean women. Non-screen fine grained mammographic film was used and prcessing was manual. The materials consisted of 150 cases of mammography performed at Yonsei University Medical College, Severance Hospital, since January, 1978. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of mammography and mammographic findings in pathologically confirmed 39 cases.The conclusions are as follows; 1. Because women are sensitive to her breast changes, mammography is very useful not only in diagnosis of breast disease and early detection of cancer, but also in management of patients with breast symptom and sign. 2. We obtained the relatively good quality film and high diagnostic accuracy with our own method, using conventional Tungsten Anode tube, compression device and hand processing. 3. We also applied specimen radiography in diagnosis of breast disease, which was helpful in verification of the adequacy of the biopsy and localization of suspicious area for histologic examination, especially in cases of clinicallynon-palpable unsuspected cancer.

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Breast Diseases
Breast Neoplasms
Breast*
Diagnosis
Early Detection of Cancer
Electrodes*
Female
Hand
Humans
Korea
Mammography*
Methods
Prognosis
Radiography
Tungsten*
Tungsten