Comprehensive Mammography Units: Design,
Physics, and Quality Standards Questions with
Correct Answers
What is Digital Mammography?
A modern imaging technique used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
What are the two main design approaches to Digital Mammography?
Slot scanning and full area detectors.
Name a manufacturer that uses slot-scanning technology.
Fischer Imaging.
What is the purpose of full area detectors in digital mammography?
To cover a larger detector area, requiring more detector elements.
What is the significance of FDA-approved FFDM units?
They ensure safety and efficacy for clinical use in digital mammography.
List one FDA-approved full area detector mammography unit.
GE Senographe 2000D.
What is the difference between direct and indirect conversion in digital mammography?
Direct conversion uses a semiconductor to convert X-ray photons directly into an electrical
signal, while indirect conversion uses a scintillator to convert X-rays to light, which is then
converted to an electrical signal.
What does higher Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) indicate?
Increased image sharpness and better detection of small details.
, What is Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE)?
A measure of how effectively a digital imaging system converts X-ray input into a useful
output image.
How does better DQE affect image quality?
It results in less noise, better visualization, and higher confidence in diagnosis.
What is the role of automatic exposure control (AEC) in digital mammography?
To optimize exposure settings based on the digital detector system.
What is the impact of digital mammography on exposure times compared to film/screen
systems?
Exposure times are generally shorter due to increased kVp.
What is Peripheral Contrast Enhancement (PCE)?
A technique that improves skin line visibility and image contrast across different tissue
densities.
Why is digital mammography considered superior for low-contrast lesions?
It has low-contrast detection capabilities that equal or exceed those of screen/film systems.
What adjustment is needed for positioning in digital mammography?
The breast must be pulled 'up and over' the thicker digital image receptor.
What percentage of mammography units in the US are digital?
95%.
What are the benefits of using solid-state detectors in digital mammography?
Physics, and Quality Standards Questions with
Correct Answers
What is Digital Mammography?
A modern imaging technique used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
What are the two main design approaches to Digital Mammography?
Slot scanning and full area detectors.
Name a manufacturer that uses slot-scanning technology.
Fischer Imaging.
What is the purpose of full area detectors in digital mammography?
To cover a larger detector area, requiring more detector elements.
What is the significance of FDA-approved FFDM units?
They ensure safety and efficacy for clinical use in digital mammography.
List one FDA-approved full area detector mammography unit.
GE Senographe 2000D.
What is the difference between direct and indirect conversion in digital mammography?
Direct conversion uses a semiconductor to convert X-ray photons directly into an electrical
signal, while indirect conversion uses a scintillator to convert X-rays to light, which is then
converted to an electrical signal.
What does higher Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) indicate?
Increased image sharpness and better detection of small details.
, What is Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE)?
A measure of how effectively a digital imaging system converts X-ray input into a useful
output image.
How does better DQE affect image quality?
It results in less noise, better visualization, and higher confidence in diagnosis.
What is the role of automatic exposure control (AEC) in digital mammography?
To optimize exposure settings based on the digital detector system.
What is the impact of digital mammography on exposure times compared to film/screen
systems?
Exposure times are generally shorter due to increased kVp.
What is Peripheral Contrast Enhancement (PCE)?
A technique that improves skin line visibility and image contrast across different tissue
densities.
Why is digital mammography considered superior for low-contrast lesions?
It has low-contrast detection capabilities that equal or exceed those of screen/film systems.
What adjustment is needed for positioning in digital mammography?
The breast must be pulled 'up and over' the thicker digital image receptor.
What percentage of mammography units in the US are digital?
95%.
What are the benefits of using solid-state detectors in digital mammography?
