South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL › Subchapter 61-64 - X-Rays (Title B) › Part V - QUALITY STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITIES PERFORMING MAMMOGRAPHY › Appendix 61-64.V.B - Mammography Phantom Image Evaluation

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
Mammography phantom image evaluation shall be performed using
				  the procedure below. The evaluation shall be performed weekly as a part of the
				  quality assurance program. The evaluation shall be performed with the
				  mammography phantom specified in Part X.
a) Equipment necessary for mammography phantom image
				  evaluation includes a densitometer, the mammography phantom, and mammographic
				  cassette and film.
b) Load film in the mammographic cassette according to the
				  manufacturer's instructions.
c) Place the properly loaded cassette in the cassette
				  holder.
d) Place the mammography phantom on the breast support
				  assembly (BSA) so that the edge of the phantom is aligned with the chest wall
				  side of the BSA. Align the phantom so that the masses in the phantom are
				  nearest the chest wall edge of the BSA and the fibers in the phantom are away
				  from the chest wall edge of the BSA. If the mammography machine has the
				  capability of automatic exposure control, place the phantom so that the phantom
				  covers the phototimer sensor.
e) Position the compression device so that it is in contact
				  with the phantom.
f) Select the technique factors used most frequently in the
				  clinical setting for a 4.2 centimeter compressed breast and make an exposure of
				  the phantom.
g) Process the film in the processor used for clinical
				  mammography films.
h) Examine the processed image for areas of non-uniformity of
				  optical density and for the presence of artifacts due to dirt, dust, grid
				  lines, or processing.
NOTE: If any of the problems noted above are evident on the
				  processed image, the mammography machine film processor and film cassette(s)
				  should be evaluated and the problem corrected. The phantom image evaluation
				  should be repeated after the problem is corrected.
i) Measure and record the optical density of the film near
				  the center of the phantom image. The optical density of the film at the center
				  of the image of the phantom shall be at least 1.20 when exposed under a typical
				  clinical condition.
j) Examine the phantom image and count and record the number
				  of masses visualized. Repeat this procedure for the speck groups and the
				  fibrils and record the number of objects visualized. There are a total of
				  sixteen (16) imaging objects (five (5) masses, five (5) speck groups, and six
				  (6) fibrils) in the phantom. Evaluation criteria for objects visualized in the
				  phantom image are in
				  RHB 5.13.2.5 and 5.13.2.4.
				  As a minimum, the objects that must be visualized in the phantom image are:
1) The masses that are 0.75 millimeter or larger (a total of
				  three (3) masses);
2) The speck groups that are 0.32 millimeter or larger (a
				  total of three (3) speck groups); and
3) The fibrils that are 0.75 millimeter or larger (a total of
				  four (4) fibrils).
NOTE: The phantom image should be compared with previous
				  films, including the original phantom image, to determine if subtle changes are
				  occurring from week to week.
The phantom image should be compared with previous films,
					 including the original phantom image, to determine if subtle changes are occurring
					 from week to week.