Performance of TL and OSL techniques using CaSO4 and Al2O3 dosimeters for mean glandular dose (MGD) and entrance surface skin dose (ESD) determination in a digital mammographic unit as alternative dosimeters

Abstract

The mammography is the most important and simple tool in the diagnosis of breast diseases in women. In digital mammography, the process of image acquisition, display and storage are separated which allows optimization of each. Despite the innumerous advantages of this technique, such as an accurate diagnosis for women with dense breast, it was noticed an increase of radiation doses to obtain the images by this system. As with any examination that includes x-rays, there is always a small stochastic risk of inducing cancer, it is therefore important to evaluate the risk from the dose delivered to the patient during the screening process. The mean glandular dose within the breast is the recommended quantity to evaluate the risk from radiation to the breast. To guarantee proper conditions of protection for patients, the radiation dose should be as low as reasonably achievable possible and simultaneously compatible with image quality requirements. Thus, this work proposes the use of the thermoluminescent (TL) CaSO4:Dy sintered discs, produced at IPEN, widely used in individual, environmental and area monitoring in Brazil, and Al2O3:C optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ‘dot’ dosimeters, manufactured by Landauer® Inc., as application as easy-to-use and low cost alternative dosimeters to evaluate the entrance skin doses (ESD) delivered to patients, the half value layer (HVL) and the mean glandular doses (MGD) in a mammographic digital unit, comparing these two techniques with the results obtained using an Allin- one QC meter. The results obtained demonstrated that the TL and OSL dosimetry systems and the CaSO4 and Al2O3 dosimeters used are able to evaluate the entrance skin dose as well as mean glandular doses in a digital mammographic unit accurately within the requirements, and they can be considered a practical, simple, easy-touse and low cost tools for verification of these items in a Quality Assurance Program.