A Sarno1, G Mettivier2, F Di Lillo1, R M Tucciariello3, K Bliznakova4, P Russo1. 1. Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy. 2. Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: mettivier@na.infn.it. 3. Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy. 4. Laboratory of Computer Simulations in Medicine, Technical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To provide mean glandular dose (MGD) estimates via Monte Carlo (MC) simulations as a function of the breast models and scan parameters in mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and dedicated breast CT (BCT). METHODS: The MC code was based on GEANT4 toolkit. The simulated compressed breast was either a cylinder with a semi-circular section or ad hoc shaped for oblique view (MLO). In DBT we studied the influence of breast models and exam parameters on the T-factors (i.e. the conversion factor for the calculation of the MGD in DBT from that for a 0-degree projection), and in BCT we investigated the influence on the MGD estimates of the ion chamber volume used for the air kerma measurements. RESULTS: In mammography, a model representative of a breast undergoing an MLO view exam did not produce substantial differences (0.4%) in MGD estimates, when compared to a conventional cranio-caudal (CC) view breast model. The beam half value layer did not present a significant influence on T-factors in DBT (<0.8%), while the skin model presented significant influence on MGD estimates (up to 3.3% at 30 degrees scan angle), increasing for larger scan angles. We derived a correction factor for taking into account the different ion chamber volume used in MGD estimates in BCT. CONCLUSIONS: A series of MC code modules for MGD estimates in 2D and 3D breast imaging have been developed in order to take into account the most recent advances in breast models.
PURPOSE: To provide mean glandular dose (MGD) estimates via Monte Carlo (MC) simulations as a function of the breast models and scan parameters in mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and dedicated breast CT (BCT). METHODS: The MC code was based on GEANT4 toolkit. The simulated compressed breast was either a cylinder with a semi-circular section or ad hoc shaped for oblique view (MLO). In DBT we studied the influence of breast models and exam parameters on the T-factors (i.e. the conversion factor for the calculation of the MGD in DBT from that for a 0-degree projection), and in BCT we investigated the influence on the MGD estimates of the ion chamber volume used for the air kerma measurements. RESULTS: In mammography, a model representative of a breast undergoing an MLO view exam did not produce substantial differences (0.4%) in MGD estimates, when compared to a conventional cranio-caudal (CC) view breast model. The beam half value layer did not present a significant influence on T-factors in DBT (<0.8%), while the skin model presented significant influence on MGD estimates (up to 3.3% at 30 degrees scan angle), increasing for larger scan angles. We derived a correction factor for taking into account the different ion chamber volume used in MGD estimates in BCT. CONCLUSIONS: A series of MC code modules for MGD estimates in 2D and 3D breast imaging have been developed in order to take into account the most recent advances in breast models.
Authors: Marco Caballo; Carolina Rabin; Christian Fedon; Alejandro Rodríguez-Ruiz; Oliver Diaz; John M Boone; David R Dance; Ioannis Sechopoulos Journal: Med Phys Date: 2022-06-08 Impact factor: 4.506