23. X-RAY APPLICATIONS: MAMMOGRAPHY

Question 1

1. What is Mammography?

Answer 1

• it is a specialised medical imaging tool
• it uses a low dose X-Ray system
• this allows it to see inside the breasts

Question 2

2. What does a Mammography exam aid in?

Answer 2

MAMMOGRAMS AID IN:
- the early detection of breast diseases
- the early diagnosis of breast diseases

Question 3

3. What are the 3 main differences between Mammography techniques and X-ray modalities?

Answer 3

1. The Tube Potentials
2. The Anode Target Materials
3. The K-edge Filters

Question 4

4. What can be said about the Tube potential with regards to Mammography?

Answer 4

• it uses low tube potentials
• these range from 25 kV to 35 kV

Question 5

5. What can be said about the Anode Target Materials with regards to Mammography?

Answer 5

• it makes use of materials that are NOT Tungsten
• it makes use of Molybdenum and Rhodium as the
  standard material
• these anode materials have lower atomic numbers

Question 6

6. What can be said about the K-Edge Filters with regards to Mammography?

Answer 6

THESE FILTERS ARE MADE FROM:
- Molybdenum
- Rhodium
- Silver

Question 7

7. Why do we compress the breast during a Mammography?

Answer 7

• this minimises the Scatter Radiation
• there is a lower patient radiation dose
• this is because the breast is made more thin
• this allows for Radiation Protection
• it ensures that we do not have an overlap of the
  calcium and the abnormalities

Question 8

8. What is the main problem with Mammographies?

Answer 8

• the composition of the breast consists of micro
  calcifications
• this means that the calcium results in a higher density
  of the images
• this makes it difficult to find any small abnormalities

Question 9

9. What is Breast Tomosynthesis also known as?

Answer 9

• it is also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
  -this is an advanced form of breast imaging

Question 10

10. What does Breast Tomosynthesis capture

Answer 10

• it captures images of the brat from different angles
• these images are then reconstructed into a 3D image
  set

NB:
- this is what makes 3-D breast imaging very similar to
CT imaging

Question 11

11. What is Breast Tomosynthesis extremely useful for?

Answer 11

• it detects Breast Cancer very effectively
• this leads to improved breast cancer detection rates
• this results in fewer call backs

Question 12

12. What can be said about the Radiation dose in Breast Tomosynthesis systems?

Answer 12

• the radiation dose is higher than the dosage used in
  Mammographies

Question 13

13. What 5 benefits does Breast Tomosynthesis result in?

Answer 13

1. EARLIER DETECTION
   - of small breast cancers
   - these may be hidden during conventional
   mammograms
2. GREATER ACCURACY
   - in pinpointing the size, shape and location of breast
   abnormalities
3. FEWER UNNECESSARY BIOPSIES
   
   • or additional tests
4. GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF DETECTING
   - multiple breast tumours
5. CLEARER IMAGES OF ABNORMALITIES
   - with dense breast tissue

Question 14

14. What is Bone Densitometry also known as?

Answer 14

• it is also known as Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
• DEXA

Question 15

15. What does DEXA make use of?

Answer 15

• it uses a very small dose of ionising radiation
• it uses thus to measure bone loss
• it measures the density of the bone

Question 16

16. What is DEXA commonly used for?

Answer 16

• it is commonly used to diagnose Osteoporosis
• it is used to assess an individual’s risk for developing
  fractures

Question 17

17. List 3 adjectives to describe DEXA?

Answer 17

• simple
• quick
• non invasive

Question 18

18. What is the most accurate method for diagnosing Osteoporosis?

Answer 18

• DEXA

Question 19

19. What is Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography?

Answer 19

• it is a special type of X-ray machine
• it is used in situations where regular dental and facial
  X-Rays are not sufficient

Question 20

20. How often should Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography be used?

Answer 20

• it should not be used routinely
• this is because the radiation exposure from this
  scanner is significantly more than regular dental X-Rays

Question 21

21. What does Dental Cone Beam Tomography make use of?

Answer 21

• this is a special type of CT scanner
• it uses a special type of technology
• this generates 3D images

Question 22

22. What parts of the body does the Dental Cone Beam Tomography generate 3D images of?

Answer 22

• dental structures
• soft tissues
• nerve paths
• bone in the craniofacial region

NB:
- this can all be done in a single scan

Question 23

23. What can be said about the images obtained from the Dental Cone Beam Tomography?

Answer 23

• the images obtained allow for more precise treatment
  planning

Question 24

24. What is the difference between Cone Beam CT and conventional CT?

Answer 24

CONE BEAM CT:
- it utilises a beam in a cone shape
- there is one beam and one detector

CONVENTIONAL CT:
- it uses funnel beams
- there is one X-ray beam
- there are multiple detectors

Question 25

25. What is a similarity between the Cone Beam CT and the Conventional CT?

Answer 25

• they both produce images that are similar to one
  another

Question 26

26. What happens with the X-Ray beam in a Cone Beam CT?

Answer 26

• the cone-shaped X-Ray beam is moved around the
  patient
• this produces a large number of images

Question 27

27. What system is used to image Extremities?

Answer 27

• a system using Cone Beam Computed Tomography