Muhammad Arif, Sidrah Mahmood, Rabiaa Mahmood, Rubina Mukhtar.
Average glandular dose (AGD) evaluation for digital mammography (patient & phantom based study, South Punjab- Pakistan).
Pak J Radiol Jan ;32(3):148-52.

Background: AGD evaluation for patient undergoing mammography is vital due to potential risk of radiation induced carcinogenesis as breast is radiosensitive organ. Objective: The purpose of study is to evaluate AGD using standard phantoms & patient exposure parameters of women undergoing digital mammography visiting at the institute having catchment area of South Punjab region. Methods: AGD was determined for 230 views (CC & MLO) using patient exposure parameters by the method described in IAEA TRS-457. The incident air kerma , K air was obtained at defined reference point with detector (Piranha, Model: 657) for mostly used kVp & target filter combination (W/Rh). The dose conversion factors were taken according to breast thickness measured HVL & estimated breast glandularity. The phantom based AGD was determined for ACR Phantom (4.2 cm) & PMMA phantom (3.5 to 6.5 cm) using measured K air & dose conversion factors (given in European guideline & equipment manual). Results: The average calculated AGD was found 1.27-mGy & 1.63-mGy for CC & MLO views having average CBT 5.34-cm & 5.93-cm respectively of women undergoing digital mammography at the institute. The calculated AGD for PMMA (4.5-cm) & ACR phantom (4.2-cm) was found 1.07-mGy/view & 1.01- mGy/view respectively. Conclusion: Calculated AGD using patient exposure parameters and standard phantoms falls within accepted dose criteria (< 3 mGy/view).

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