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U.S. Department of Energy
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Quality assurance in mammography - diagnosis of artifact sources in the xeroradiographic systems

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6597320
The maintenance of high-quality assurance programs at xeroradiographic facilities is discussed. In the field of diagnostic radiology, quality assurance involves routine testing procedures designed to maintain optimum image quality within the bounds of safe X-ray exposure to the patient. Artifacts are patterns appearing in the X-ray picture that do not correspond to the subject's actual structure. These artifacts are produced by the imaging system. Artifacts resulting from X-ray technique are briefly discussed. In addition, four interrelated components of the xeroradiographic system that cause artifacts are identified. Procedures for diagnosing a problem in the xeroradiographic system are explained. A flow chart illustrates these procedures in relation to the four component problems, including conditioner or processor difficulties and plate or cassette malfunctions. Mammographic phantoms can serve for general quality assurance tests on a xeroradiographic system. Pictures illustrating 31 types of artifacts are provided. A bibliography of xeroradiography references is included.
Research Organization:
Midwest Center for Radiological Physics, Madison, WI (USA)
OSTI ID:
6597320
Report Number(s):
HRP-0031210/8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English