From: Quality assurance and quality control in mammography: a review of available guidance worldwide
Test | Guideline | Materials | Comments and reference values |
---|---|---|---|
Positioning | ACR | NA | Subjective evaluation using clinical criteria |
EC Ireland, | |||
Australia, | |||
IAEA-SF | |||
Compression | ACR | NA | Subjective evaluation using clinical criteria |
EC | Compression force device, foam rubber, tape measure | Display force = measured force ± 20 N. Max motorised force = 130–200 N | |
Ireland | Subjective evaluation using clinical criteria, Max motorised force = 200 N | ||
Scales, compressible material | Display force = measured force ± 20 N. Max misalignment <5 mm for symmetric load. | ||
Australia | Force measuring device (e.g. analogue bathroom scales) | Maximum motorised force between 150–200 N | |
IAEA-DM | Scales (e.g. analogue bathroom scales), foam, PMMA slabs | Test motorised and manual compression. Max motorised force = 150 N-200 N. Max manual force = 300 N. Display thickness = slab thickness ± 8 mm | |
Contrast resolution and visualisation of breast lesions (in phantom) | ACR, Canada, Australia, RANZCR | ACR accreditation phantom. Canada (alternative phantoms are RMI 156 or NA 18–220 or CIRS 015) | CANADA: provides reference values for SFM and DR |
ACR, Australia: RANZCR provides minimum threshold for visible details | |||
EC | CDMAM | ACR, Australia: RANZCR provides minimum threshold for visible details | |
UK/IPEM, UK/NHSBSP | TOR (MAM) or CDMAM | IPEM: recommend remedial values for low contrast detail detectability | |
NHSBSP: recommend acceptable and achievable values | |||
Ireland | CDMAM, PMMA blocks, CDCOM software, TORMAM | Recommends achievable and minimum limits for automated analysis, following EC guidance | |
IAEA-DM | Not specified (phantom should mimicking breast structures) | IQ assessed for digital systems should be as good as, or better than, that expected with high quality SF mammography | |
Spatial resolution | UK/IPEM | TOR(MAX) | Recommends remedial value |
EC | MTF test tool, software to calculate MTF | Recommends considering the acceptance value as reference | |
Ireland | MTF edge phantom, ImageJ software | Recommended considering the acceptance value as reference | |
Canada | 2 test patterns; PMMA | Minimum threshold for broad | |
ACR | Bar pattern | Recommended values for perpendicular and parallel MTF | |
IAEA-DM | MTF test tool-metal foil with straight edges (e.g. copper, stainless steel, brass, etc.) | Acceptable values are presented for all available manufactures. | |
PMMA to support the MTF test tool and MTF software | |||
UK/NHSBSP | Bar pattern | Recommended values presented according manufactures (should be at least <70 % of Nyquist frequency of the detector) | |
UK/IPEM | TORMAX | Remedial and suspension values provided | |
Noise | EC | NPS phantom (standard test block), optional software to calculate NPS | Manufacturer’s specifications |
Ireland | Standard PMMA test block dosimeter | Consider acceptance values as reference. | |
Canada | PMMA blocks with various thickness and 0.1 mm of aluminium | Acceptable values are presented for all types of breast tissue. | |
ACR | NA | Subjective evaluation using clinical criteria | |
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) | UK/NHSBSP | PMMA blocks | Recommended minimum SNR variation |
IAEA-DM | PMMA blocks and aluminium (or PMMA contrast object) | Acceptable values are presented for all available manufactures. | |
Artefacts | All Protocols | PMMA blocks or aluminium plate | Subjective using established criteria |
Labelling | ACR and IAEA-SF | NA | Patient and facility name, projection view, side, cassette number, mammography unit used and the initials of technologists who performed the examination. |