Journal List > J Korean Radiol Soc > v.53(2) > 1004117

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Lee, Choe, Chung, Kim, Kim, Oh, Kim, Park, Park, Seo, Lee, Son, Cho, Choi, Cho, Kim, Cha, Jeon, Han, and Lim: Establishment of Quality Assessment Standard for Mammographic Equipments: Evaluation of Phantom and Clinical Images
Original Article

Journal of the Korean Radiological Society 2005; 53(2): 117-127.

Published online: 31 August 2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2005.53.2.117

Establishment of Quality Assessment Standard for Mammographic Equipments: Evaluation of Phantom and Clinical Images

Sung Hoon Lee, Yeon Hyeon Choe, Soo Young Chung, Mi Hye Kim, Eun Kyung Kim, Ki Keun Oh, Hak Hee Kim, Jeong Mi Park, Jeong Hee Park, Bo Kyoung Seo, Hae Kyung Lee, Eun Ju Son, Nariya Cho, Hye Young Choi, Byung Jae Cho, Ji Young Kim, Eun Suk Cha, Yong Hwan Jeon, Boo Kyung Han, Hyo Keun Lim

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Korea.

Kimmihye Breast Clinic, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Radiological Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yongdong Severance Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Samsung Cheil Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Sanggye Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Korea.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, St. Vincent Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University, Korea.

Corresponding author: yhchoe@smc.samsung.co.kr

Copyright © 2005 by The Korean Society of Radiology

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to establish a quality standard for mammographic equipment in Korea and to eventually improve mammographic quality in clinics and hospitals throughout Korea by educating technicians and clinic personnel.

Materials and Methods

For the phantom test and on site assessment, we visited 37 sites and examined 43 sets of mammographic equipment. Items that were examined include phantom test, radiation dose measurement, developer assessment, etc. The phantom images were assessed visually and by optical density measurements. For the clinical image assessment, clinical images from 371 sites were examined following the new Korean standard for clinical image evaluation. The items examined include labeling, positioning, contrast, exposure, artifacts, collimation among others.

Results

Quality standard of mammographic equipment was satisfied in all equipment during on site visits. Average mean glandular dose was 114.9 mRad. All phantom image test scores were over 10 points (average, 10.8 points). However, optical density measurements were below 1.2 in 9 sets of equipment (20.9%). Clinical image evaluation revealed appropriate image quality in 83.5%, while images from non-radiologist clinics were adequate in 74.6% (91/122), which was the lowest score of any group. Images were satisfactory in 59.0% (219/371) based on evaluation by specialists following the new Korean standard for clinical image evaluation. Satisfactory images had a mean score of 81.7 (1 S.D.=8.9) and unsatisfactory images had a mean score of 61.9 (1 S.D=11). The correlation coefficient between the two observers was 0.93 (p<0.01) in 49 consecutive cases.

Conclusion

The results of the phantom tests suggest that optical density measurements should be performed as part of a new quality standard for mammographic equipment. The new clinical evaluation criteria that was used in this study can be implemented with some modifications for future mammography quality control by the Korean government.

Keywords: Mammography, Breast radiography, quality assurance

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