Comparison of the performance of FCR-profect systems with different mammographic equipment

Abstract

Currently, in Brazil, from all computed radiography (CR) systems to mammography exams, there are 160 Fujifilm Computed Radiography Mammography System (FCR-Profect) used with different mammographic equipment. Until now, this CR is the unique approved by the Food and Drug Administration to use in mammograms. Considering this accreditation, the image quality from 25 mammographic equipment GE and 9 Lorad-Hologic were evaluated using the Fujifilm FCR Mammography QC-Software methodology. This software requires a dedicate phantom named One Shot Phantom M Plus which permits to evaluate the image quality through a single exposure. The results have shown that there are no significant differences of the quality image acquired with GE and Lorad-Hologic equipment based on the following parameters: missed tissue on chest; system sensitivity; geometric distortion, artifacts, uniformity; dynamic range; spatial resolution (SR); SR on magnification condition; low contrast delectability; linearity; additive lag effects; sensibility and multiplicative lag effects (Ghost). From the dose optimizing process the results of relative contrast to noise ratio (CNR) to 20, 40, 60 and 70mm breast PMMA equivalent were similar but, the average glandular dose (AGD) to Lorad-Hologic equipment was bigger than to GE, as follow: 14% to 20mm breast PMMA equivalent; 35% to 40 and 60mm breast PMMA equivalent and 38% to 70mm breast PMMA equivalent. The use of the Fujifilm FCR Mammography QC-Software promotes agility to obtain the experimental data and to analyze the results based on European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis, fourth edition. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.