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Criteria regarding positioning techniques for mammography

LRCB 2009, criteria for set-up technique, mammography (assuming normal mammogram)

CC imaging

  • Symmetrical images
  • Medials are fully depicted
  • Laterals are depicted as far as possible
  • Fibro-glandular triangle fully depicted and stretched out as far as possible
  • Musc. pectoralis depicted if possible
  • Nipple between 12 and 1 o’clock if possible
  • Free projection of nipple, if possible

MLO imaging

  • Symmetrical images
  • Sufficient breadth in musc. pectoralis depiction
  • Sufficient depth in musc. pectoralis depiction (± nipple level)
  • Fibro-glandular triangle depicted at maximum breadth and stretched out as far as possible
  • Breast-abdomen transition depicted
  • Free projection of nipple, if possible

General quality criteria

  • Uniform, reproducable mammogram
  • Good compression
  • No folds
  • Correct imaging (acquisition, processing, reproduction)
  • No lack of sharpness through movement
  • Correct marking and identification
  • No obscuring elements (shoulder, chin, hair…)