Grids in mammography

A special soft-tissue grid reduced scattered radiation to the receptor and resulted in improved contrast and visibility of small structures to the degree that increased kVp could be used during screen-film mammography. The reduction in radiation to the skin that is associated with the more penetrating higher kVp technique more than compensated for the Bucky factor of the grid. This technique allowed for better penetration of the base of large, dense breasts without the use of vigorous compression. Results that were obtained with a faster (2X) film are also presented and discussed.