Radiology, Vol 184, 629-634, Copyright © 1992 by Radiological Society of North America
A comparison of mammography screen-film combinations
BA Schueler, JE Gray and JJ Gisvold
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
A comparison study was performed to evaluate the image quality and
radiation dose of six mammographic screen-film combinations: a Min-R screen
with OM-1, SO-155, and SO-177 films (Eastman Kodak); a Min-R medium screen
(Eastman Kodak) with OM-1 film; an HR Mammo medium screen (Fuji Medical
Systems USA) with OM-1 film; and a Min-R fast screen with T-Mat M II film
(Eastman Kodak). SO-177 films were processed with an extended cycle.
Exposures of an acrylic test object with embedded masses, fibers, and
specks and of a preserved breast specimen were made, for two paired image
comparison tests in which the visibility of diagnostic features, contrast,
and noise were judged. In most areas of image quality evaluated, a Min-R
screen with OM-1, SO-155, and SO-177 films was superior. These three
screen-film combinations had similar imaging characteristics, even though
OM-1 film requires a higher radiation exposure. Images produced with a
Min-R fast screen and T-Mat M II film were significantly lower in quality.
