MAMMOGRAPHY

ANATOMY OF BREAST
 The breast is located at the lateral aspect of pectoral region between 3rd and 7th ribs.
 It extends from sternum to axilla surrounded by superficial fascia and rest on deep fascia.
 The nipple is a small conical prominence surrounded by a circular area of pigmented skin, the
AREOLA.
 Areola contain large sebaceous glands that are often invisible to naked eye.
 The breast exist in both man and woman but the mammary glands are normally most develop in
females.
 The structure of the female breast is complex , it includes fat and connective tissue, as well as lobes,
lobules, ducts and lymph nodes.
 The breast has no muscle tissue. Muscles lie underneath the breasts, however, separating them from the
ribs.
 MAMMOGRAPHY
 Mammography is specialized medical imaging that uses a
low-dose x-ray system to see inside the breasts.
 A mammography exam, called a mammogram, aids in the
early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.
 Mammograms are used as a screening tool to detect early
breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms this is
called screening mammography.
 They can also be used to detect and diagnose breast
disease in women experiencing symptoms such as a lump,
pain, skin dimpling or nipple discharge which is called
diagnostic mammography.
 MAMMOGRAPHY VIEWS
 There are numerous mammography
views that can broadly be split into two
groups:
1.standard views 
2.supplementary views - additional information or
problem solving.

 Standard views are bilateral craniocaudal (CC)

and mediolateral oblique (MLO) views, which
comprise routine screening
mammography. The views are usually used for
all routine screening clients.
 all breast glandular tissue imaged
 image annotation
 date
 patient ID (name and URN or DOB)
 side markers
 radiographer ID
 cassette ID (ideally)
 correct exposure - can "bright light" skin and nipple
 no movement artifact
 no skin folds
 symmetrical images
Adequate craniocaudal views
 all glandular tissue identified
 nipple in profile
 nipple in midline of image
 images symmetric
Adequate medio-lateral oblique views
 pectoral shadow seen down to level of nipple or lower
 inframammary fold well seen
 nipple in profile
 PATIENT’S PREPRATION
The ACS also recommends:
• Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the
exam. These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
• Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your menstrual period because breasts are
usually tender during this time. 
• Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
• Obtain your prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist. This is needed for
comparison with your current exam.
• Ask when your results will be available; do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from
your doctor or the mammography facility.
INDICATIONS:
• Symptomatic breast lumps in women <35 years.
• Breast lump developing during pregnancy or lactation.
• Assessment of mammographic abnormality.
• Assessment of MRI detected lesions.
• Breast inflammation.
• Breast lump in a male (together with mammography).
• Guidance of needle biopsy.
• Follow-up of breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.
RISKS OF MAMMOGRAPHY
 The main risks and other adverse consequences from screening mammography include:
 Discomfort from breast compression
 Patient recall for additional imaging
 False positive biopsies
 Having a mammogram involves x-rays.
 Results may cause unnecessary worry