Mammography

A mammogram is a special type of X-ray of the breasts. Mammograms can show tumors long before they are big enough for you or your health care provider to feel. Mammograms are recommended every year or two for women older than 40. They are also recommended for younger women who have symptoms of breast cancer or who have a high risk of the disease.

Mammograms are quick and easy. You stand in front of an X-ray machine. The person who takes the X-rays places your breast between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable, but it helps get a clear picture. You will have an X-ray of each breast. A mammogram takes only a few seconds and it can help save your life.

National Cancer Institute

Mammography on Wikipedia

'''Mammography''' is the process of using low-dose X-rays (usually around 0.7 Sievert) to examine the human breast. It is used to look for different types of tumours and cysts. Only mammography has been proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer. In some countries routine (annual to five-yearly) mammography of older women is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer. At this stage mammography is still the modality of choice for screening of early breast cancer. It is the gold-standard for other imaging methods such as Medical ultrasonography, Magnetic resonance imaging and Computed axial tomography which are less useful due to their lower spatial resolution. During the procedure, the breast is compressed by a dedicated mammography machine, in order to even out the biological_tissue, increase image quality, and to hold the breast still (preventing motion blur). Both front and side images of the breast are taken. Until some years ago, mammography was typically performed with screen-film cassettes. Now, mammography is undergoing the progress to digital detectors. This progress is some years later than in general radiology. This is due to the higher resolution demands in mammography. Deodorant, talcum powder or lotion may show up on the X-ray as calcium spots, and women are discouraged from applying these on the day of their investigation.   [ Read More ]

External Resources

DI Scan Newsletter - Diagnostic Imaging SCAN is the biweekly newsletter of up-to-the-minute coverage of the rapidly changing global medical imaging industry. Subscribers receive the most recent developments and cutting-edge news in MRI, CT, x-ray, ultrasound, PACS, nuclear medicine, and mammography.

Stuart Meeson's Home Page - Medical Imaging using Mammography and Electrical Impedance Tomography - Medical Imaging Research - Mammography and Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)

ERASMUS COURSE on Magnetic Imaging - Magnetic resonance mammography (MRM) has been performed in our department since 1991. This course (with online notes) offers information on Magnetic Imaging.

Paola Baldelli, Dr. of Medical Physics - Includes links to Dr Baldelli's CV, research activity in the field of Diagnostic radiology, specifically in the field of mammography in the University of Ferrara, Italy.

ORNL Image Science and Machine Vision Group - From the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Application areas include biological sciences (e.g., mammography and tomography), law enforcement and forensics, military applications, and measurement and controls for industry.

MammoBase - MammoBase is a Win95/98/NT, BI-RADS compliant program that produces automatic mammography reports using plain English. Reports may be completely edited by the radiologist, while maintaining statistical integrity.

Mirada - Developer of diagnostic imaging software for mammography and echocardiography analysis. Includes online ordering.

Insight Healthcare Information Systems - Offers radiology, mammography healthcare and patient management software.

Pharmaceutical Innovations, Inc. (USA) - manufactures conductive gels, sprays, lotions and skin preps for all ultrasound and electromedical technologies such as electrocardiograms, TENS and muscle stimulation. Our major markets are Diagnostic Ultrasound, Physical Therapy, Cardiology and Mammography.

Meditronics-India - Manufacturer and exporter of X-ray and medical equipment like mobile C-Arm image intensifier, mammography unit, penoromic dental unit, portable X-ray units, dark room X-ray accessories.

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