Authors:
R. M. Tucciariello
1
;
P. Barca
1
;
D. Caramella
2
;
R. M. Lamastra
1
;
C. Traino
3
and
M. E. Fantacci
1
;
4
Affiliations:
1
Department of Physics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
;
2
Department of Radiology, Pisa University Hospital “Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana”, Pisa, Italy
;
3
Unit of Medical Physics, Pisa University Hospital “Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana”, Pisa, Italy
;
4
INFN, Pisa Section, Pisa, Italy
Keyword(s):
Digital Mammography, Monte Carlo Simulations, Dosimetry, Glandular Dose, Air Kerma, Breast Imaging, Skin Model, GEANT4, RADIOMA.
Abstract:
The rationale of this study is to perform a personalized dosimetry in digital mammography, using Monte Carlo simulations. We developed a GEANT4-based application that reproduces mammographic investigations editable in different setups and conditions. Mean Glandular Dose (MGD) is estimated for different compressed breast sizes and compositions. Breast compositions are obtained with homogeneous mixture of glandular and adipose tissues. The simulated setup reproduces the Hologic Selenia® Dimensions® Mammography System and the TASMIPM tool for deriving the photon fluence from the X-ray source has been employed. The influence of different skin models is also investigated, deriving the mean glandular dose in the breast using adipose tissue for different skin thicknesses, from 2 mm to 5 mm, and a dedicated composition found in literature with the specific thickness of 1.45 mm. We denoted different photon shielding properties on the MGD values.