Accuracy of the Empirical Estimate of AGD of Patients Exposed to Conventional Mammographical Exams

Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay

Abstract: The appropriate dosimetric indicator of the radiation dose received by patients on mammography exams is the Average Glandular Dose (PGD). This work aims to estimate the clinical AGDs using the parametric equations of Matsumoto et al. (2003) and determine the degree of accuracy compared to the estimates of Dance et al. (2000). To fulfill the objective, kVp data were collected, mAs, compressed breast thickness, age and anode/filter combination of 50 patients who underwent conventional mammography exams. The results were compared with the curves proposed by Dance et al., where it was observed that the values estimated by the equations of Matsumoto et al. (2003) they underestimate the doses with respect to the curve that marks the achievable value and is well below the curve that marks the acceptable values; however, a systematic variation is observed with the reference AGDs, which is due to the correction due to glandularity that Matsumoto’s empirical estimates do not consider. With these results it can be inferred that the equations of Matsumoto et al. (2003) are viable to estimate the AGD imparted by mammographers using the Mo/Mo anode/filter combination.