A study of mean glandular dose during diagnostic mammography in hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

A mammography examination facilitates the early detection of breast cancer. However, the potential risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis is also increased with such a procedure. The objective of this research was to determine the mean glandular dose (MGD) from mediolateral oblique (MLO) views in each breast and the total dose per woman (for both breasts) from the exposure factor in patients undergoing mammography in some hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam. The secondary objective was to evaluate some of the factors affecting MGD. The values of compressed breast thickness (CBT), as well as the MGD calculated from the exposure and tube voltage both mAs and target/filter combination, were collected from over 350 women ranging in age from 24 to 79 year olds. The MGD for the phantom was in range 1.0269-2.052 mGy, while the MGD for patient was in range 0,418 mGy to 2,72 mGy for the mediolateral oblique views. The mean MGD per woman was 1.45 mGy. They are quite far from the limitation of ACR recommendation, 3mGy. This may ensure that the mammography examination in some main hospitals in Hanoi Vietnam was capable of achieving acceptable dose levels for patient safety. © Springer-Verlag 2010.