The impact of technical and environmental conditions on the quality assessment in mammography

Introduction

Mammography requires optimal image quality and that should be ensured during quality assurance. This study investigates the impact of environmental conditions and monitor specifications on quality control procedures within image acquisition rooms in breast imaging departments.

Methods

During this study, nine TORMAM test object images acquired under different conditions were evaluated by 16 observers in 12 different environmental conditions (low, medium, and high illumination level, white and grey wall colour and 2 monitors with high and low technical characteristics). Visibility of structures was the key criteria.

Results

The number of visible structures per image was dependent on the different environmental conditions, with large variations observed. The wall colour and the illumination level have a statistically significant effect on the number of visible structures. It was statistically proven that the grey wall colour had a positive effect on the visibility of low contrast detail discs.

Conclusion

Low ambient light, with a grey wall colour and monitors with high specification allow greatest structure visibility. On the contrary, white wall colour around the monitor and high ambient light had a negative impact on technical evaluation of the images during quality control procedures.

Implications for practice

Better standardization of the environmental condition is required in acquisition rooms. Specifically, this research points to the benefit of using a low reflectance wall colour and low illumination level around the monitors.