Assessment of mean glandular dose (MGD) from mammographic examinations at Ubon Ratchathani Cancer Hospital

Abstract

Screening for breast cancer with mammography plays a critical role in reducing mortality among women. However, exposure to X-ray radiation during the examination can affect breast tissue, making it essential to evaluate the Mean Glandular Dose (MGD) in order to confirm safety and compare it against national reference levels. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional design. Its objectives were to assess and compare the MGD delivered by two-dimensional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and three-dimensional digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) using a Hologic Selenia Dimensions system equipped with an anti-scatter grid. Image‐acquisition parameters were collected from 100 female patients aged 40–60 years, yielding a total of 400 exposures. MGD was calculated according to internationally recognized protocols. The results showed that the MGD for FFDM ranged from 1.72 to 1.78 mGy, while for DBT it ranged from 1.75 to 1.82 mGy. Although DBT exhibited a slightly higher MGD, both modalities remained well below the 2023 National Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) of 2.5 mGy. Moreover, DBT provided superior image quality and reduced the need for repeat examinations. In conclusion, DBT is both safe and effective for breast-cancer screening; nevertheless, further longitudinal studies are recommended to refine and optimize examination protocols.