Angular dependence of mammographic dosimeters in digital breast tomosynthesis

Lena R. Bradley; Ann-Katherine Carton; Andrew D. A. Maidment

doi:10.1117/12.845369

23 March 2010 Angular dependence of mammographic dosimeters in digital breast tomosynthesis

Lena R. Bradley, Ann-Katherine Carton, Andrew D. A. Maidment

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7622, Medical Imaging 2010: Physics of Medical Imaging; 76225L (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.845369
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is an emerging imaging modality that combines tomography with conventional digital mammography. In developing DBT dosimetry, a direct application of mammographic dosimetry has appeal. However, DBT introduces rotation of the x-ray tube relative to the dosimeter, thus raising questions about the angular dependence of mammographic dosimeters. To measure this dependence, two ionization chambers, two solid-stated detectors, and one photodiode were rotated relative to an incident Mo/Mo x-ray beam. In this isocentric DBT simulation, the signal of each dosimeter was studied over an angular range of 180° for tube voltages of 26 to 34 kV. One ionization chamber was then modeled numerically to study the response to various monoenergetic beams. The results show that all dosimeters underestimate dose to varying degrees; solid-state detectors show the greatest angular dependence while ionization chambers show the least. Correction factors were computed from the data for isocentric DBT images using projection angles up to ±25°; these factors ranged from 1.0014 to 1.1380. The magnitude of the angular dependence generally decreased with increasing energy, as shown with both the measured and modeled data. As a result, the error arising in measuring DBT dose with a mammographic dosimeter varies significantly; it cannot always be disregarded. The use of correction factors may be possible but is largely impractical, as they are specific to the dosimeter, x-ray beam, and DBT geometry. Instead, an angle-independent dosimeter may be more suitable for DBT.

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Lena R. Bradley, Ann-Katherine Carton, and Andrew D. A. Maidment "Angular dependence of mammographic dosimeters in digital breast tomosynthesis", Proc. SPIE 7622, Medical Imaging 2010: Physics of Medical Imaging, 76225L (23 March 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.845369

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