Response of CR Detector Plates for Use in Mammography Equipment

Abstract

Worldwide, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, overcome only by melanoma cancer. In Brazil, the detectors commonly used in CR mammography are photostimulable phosphor plates, whose response to radiation varies in relation to the parameters applied to the X-ray tube for the acquisition of mammographic images. The high incidence of this disease makes it important to analyze and monitor the entire mammography system to ensure optimal performance, seeking to make your diagnosis early, increasing the chances of the patient’s healing. The objective of this study is to evaluate the response of a CR plate for the variation of voltage and time applied. For this purpose, four X-ray beams were selected and a successive exposition of the CR plate was made, varying the exposure time. Then, with a solid-state detector, the air kerma was measured for the 30 kV X-ray beam previously used, and subsequently, with the acquired images, the intensity value recorded by the CR plate was correlated with the value of measured air kerma, obtaining the response curve in relation to the exposure time and the air kerma. The determination of these response curves will help to know the performance of the CR plate, which will allow selecting the most suitable parameters within the sensitivity range of the CR plate for the acquisition of mammographic images.