PSF, LSF and S/P in mammography: GEANT4 validation.

The main goal of this study was to validate the predictions of GEANT4, a Monte Carlo code originally developed for high-energy physics, for low-energy (10-40 keV) photon transmission and scattering through matter similar to biological tissue. We compared GEANT4 calculations with existing phantom data relevant for the mammographic imaging technique. This work showed that scattered-to-primary ratio data can be simulated using GEANT4 with a deviation smaller than 5%.

Ionisation density dependence of the optically stimulated luminescence dose-response of AL2O3:C to low-energy charged particles.

The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) response of Al2O3:C to high doses of gamma or beta irradiation can be used to predict the response of this material to charged particles as a function of particle fluence, particle energy and/or linear energy transfer (LET). In particular, it is predicted that track interaction effects at high particle fluences should result in linear-sublinear growth of the OSL signal. Similar considerations also predict a dependence of the fluence at which sublinearity starts upon the energy of the particles.

Evaluation of equipment performance, patient dose, imaging quality, and diagnostic coincidence in five Mexico City mammography services.

Background: Regulations concerning the use of x-rays in medical diagnoses were published in Mexico in 1997. In this work, we evaluate technical aspects of mammography services in the Mexico City area and radiation dose and coincidence between the radiological interpretation by the institution radiologist and by a panel of experts.

Methods: Following methodology proposed by the American College of Radiology and the European Community among others, we have evaluated the performance of six mammography systems in Mexico City public and private services.