The Intensity of Scattered Radiation in Mammography

Abstract

The ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation was measured for a range of X-ray tube voltages, field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical mammographic situations. The relative intensity of scattered radiation measured was essentially independent of kVp [kilovolt peak] but increased as the phantom thickness and radiation field size increased. For the range of field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical situations the intensity of scattered radiation varied from about 40-85% of the primary beam intensity indicating that only about 54-71% of the primary beam contrast is imaged in mammography done for human breast cancer.