Breast Anatomy
Glandular Tissue | Fibrous Stroma | Adipose Tissue | Cooper Ligaments | Nipple Areolar Complex
Regional Landmarks
Clavicle | Sternum | Axilla | Inframammary Fold | Tail Of Spence
Vascular And Lymphatic
Axillary Lymph Nodes | Internal Mammary Nodes | Superficial Vessels
Standard View
Breast Compressed Horizontally | Nipple In Profile | Include Medial And Lateral Tissue | Center To Nipple
Standard View
Angle Typically 30 To 60 Degrees | Include Pectoral Muscle And Tail Of Spence | Position Nipple In Profile | Center To Nipple
Targeted Detail
Small Paddle For Focal Area | Increased Compression For Improved Detail | Useful For Calcifications And Mass Characterization
High Detail For Microcalcifications
Use Magnification Stand Off | Lower kVp And Higher mAs | Focus On Area Of Interest With Small Focal Spot
Eklund Displacement Technique
Displace Implant Posteriorly | Pull Breast Tissue Anteriorly Over Paddle | Obtain CC And MLO With Implant Out Of Field When Possible
Cleavage And Tangential Views
Cleavage View For Medial Tissue | Tangential For Superficial Lesions | Use As Complementary Views When Standard Projections Are Inconclusive
Clothing And Artifacts
Remove Clothing Above Waist | No Deodorant Or Powders | Explain Compression And Procedure | Obtain Consent For Diagnostic Or Screening Exam
Centering And Compression
Ensure Pectoral Muscle Visible On MLO | Pull Tissue From Axilla Into Field | Apply Firm Even Compression | Align Nipple Perpendicular To Detector For CC
Pregnancy And Implants
Pregnancy Requires Risk Benefit Discussion | Use Shielding And Minimize Views When Possible | For Implants Use Eklund Technique And Document Implant Type
Sharpness Contrast And Compression
Assess For Motion Blur | Adequate Compression To Reduce Scatter | Proper Exposure And Contrast To Visualize Glandular Tissue And Microcalcifications
Daily And Periodic Tests
Daily Phantom Tests | Monitor Compression Paddle Integrity | Regular Detector Calibration And Mammography Unit Accreditation Requirements
Minimize While Maintaining Diagnostic Quality
Use Automatic Exposure Control | Optimize kVp And mAs For Breast Thickness | Document Dose Per View For QA Purposes
Standardized Reporting
Use BI RADS Categories For Findings And Management Recommendations | Include Views And Comparison With Prior Studies When Available
Include Technique And Positioning Notes
Document Any Limitations | Note Implants Surgical Clips Or Prior Surgeries | Include Compression And Exposure Parameters If Relevant
CC
Craniocaudal | Top To Bottom View Of Breast
MLO
Mediolateral Oblique | Oblique View Including Pectoral Muscle And Axillary Tail
Eklund Technique
Implant Displacement | Technique To Image Breast Tissue Separately From Implant
BI RADS
Breast Imaging Reporting And Data System | Standardized Assessment Categories
Magnification View
Increased Geometric Magnification For Microcalcification Evaluation | Small Focal Spot Required