ARRT Mammography Boards Study
Guide Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary purpose of mammography?
✔✔To detect breast cancer early and evaluate breast abnormalities
Which view is standard for screening mammography along with mediolateral oblique (MLO)?
✔✔Cranial-caudal (CC) view
What is the recommended screening interval for average-risk women over 40?
✔✔Annually
What is the main concern when compressing the breast during mammography?
✔✔Patient comfort while achieving uniform tissue thickness and reduced motion
Which breast tissue type absorbs more X-rays, appearing white on mammograms?
✔✔Fibroglandular tissue
1
,Which tissue appears darker on a mammogram due to lower X-ray absorption?
✔✔Fatty tissue
What is the role of magnification views in mammography?
✔✔To better visualize microcalcifications and small lesions
Why is proper positioning crucial in mammography?
✔✔To ensure full breast tissue visualization and accurate diagnosis
Which lesion characteristic is most suspicious for malignancy on a mammogram?
✔✔Spiculated margins
What is the BI-RADS category for a finding that is highly suggestive of malignancy?
✔✔Category 5
Which view is commonly used to image the axillary tail of the breast?
✔✔Mediolateral oblique (MLO)
2
,What is the recommended compression force range in mammography?
✔✔25–45 pounds
Why is breast compression important during mammography?
✔✔Reduces motion blur, lowers radiation dose, and improves image contrast
Which patient factor increases mammographic density, potentially masking lesions?
✔✔Younger age and fibroglandular predominance
What is a key characteristic of benign calcifications?
✔✔Round, punctate, or popcorn-like appearance
What is the main imaging method used to guide stereotactic breast biopsy?
✔✔Mammography
Which position best demonstrates the posterior breast tissue near the chest wall?
✔✔Mediolateral oblique (MLO)
3
, What is a major limitation of mammography in women with dense breasts?
✔✔Reduced sensitivity for detecting small lesions
Which lesion characteristic on mammography suggests a benign fibroadenoma?
✔✔Smooth, well-circumscribed, oval mass
Which additional imaging modality is recommended for dense breasts when mammography is
inconclusive?
✔✔Breast ultrasound
What is the main purpose of a spot compression view?
✔✔To better characterize a specific area of interest and reduce overlapping tissue
Which breast lesion is typically seen as a cluster of tiny, linear, or branching calcifications?
✔✔Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Why is accurate patient identification essential in mammography?
✔✔To ensure the correct images correspond to the correct patient for diagnosis and follow-up
4
Guide Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary purpose of mammography?
✔✔To detect breast cancer early and evaluate breast abnormalities
Which view is standard for screening mammography along with mediolateral oblique (MLO)?
✔✔Cranial-caudal (CC) view
What is the recommended screening interval for average-risk women over 40?
✔✔Annually
What is the main concern when compressing the breast during mammography?
✔✔Patient comfort while achieving uniform tissue thickness and reduced motion
Which breast tissue type absorbs more X-rays, appearing white on mammograms?
✔✔Fibroglandular tissue
1
,Which tissue appears darker on a mammogram due to lower X-ray absorption?
✔✔Fatty tissue
What is the role of magnification views in mammography?
✔✔To better visualize microcalcifications and small lesions
Why is proper positioning crucial in mammography?
✔✔To ensure full breast tissue visualization and accurate diagnosis
Which lesion characteristic is most suspicious for malignancy on a mammogram?
✔✔Spiculated margins
What is the BI-RADS category for a finding that is highly suggestive of malignancy?
✔✔Category 5
Which view is commonly used to image the axillary tail of the breast?
✔✔Mediolateral oblique (MLO)
2
,What is the recommended compression force range in mammography?
✔✔25–45 pounds
Why is breast compression important during mammography?
✔✔Reduces motion blur, lowers radiation dose, and improves image contrast
Which patient factor increases mammographic density, potentially masking lesions?
✔✔Younger age and fibroglandular predominance
What is a key characteristic of benign calcifications?
✔✔Round, punctate, or popcorn-like appearance
What is the main imaging method used to guide stereotactic breast biopsy?
✔✔Mammography
Which position best demonstrates the posterior breast tissue near the chest wall?
✔✔Mediolateral oblique (MLO)
3
, What is a major limitation of mammography in women with dense breasts?
✔✔Reduced sensitivity for detecting small lesions
Which lesion characteristic on mammography suggests a benign fibroadenoma?
✔✔Smooth, well-circumscribed, oval mass
Which additional imaging modality is recommended for dense breasts when mammography is
inconclusive?
✔✔Breast ultrasound
What is the main purpose of a spot compression view?
✔✔To better characterize a specific area of interest and reduce overlapping tissue
Which breast lesion is typically seen as a cluster of tiny, linear, or branching calcifications?
✔✔Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Why is accurate patient identification essential in mammography?
✔✔To ensure the correct images correspond to the correct patient for diagnosis and follow-up
4
