Development of an Adjustable Model Breast for Mammographic Dosimetry Assessment in Taiwanese Women

OBJECTIVE. The currently used model breast for mammographic dosimetry assessment lacks the flexibility to change dimensions. The aim of this study was to develop an adjustable model breast for mammographic dosimetry assessment of Taiwanese women.MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective review of 4226 craniocaudal (CC) views was conducted. The geometry of the model breast was defined as a semielliptical cylinder. Breast parameters, including compressed breast thickness, chest wall–to-nipple distance, compressed breast width, and percentage glandular content, were measured and analyzed. To validate the adjustable model breast, 44 mammograms were obtained. The expected values from the adjustable model breast were compared with the measured values.RESULTS. The average values of compressed breast thickness, chest wall–to-nipple distance, compressed breast width, and percentage glandular content of the women studied were 4.1 cm, 6.9 cm, 16.9 cm, and 54%, respectively. Variations of chest wall–to-nipple distance, ...