It is the mammographer's aim to produce a consistently high quality mammographic image.This is paramount in diagnostic mammography to enable the Radiologist to accurately evaluate the image.
Views
Cranio Caudal View
• This view includes most of the breast tissue.
• Ensure firstly the bucky height is correct and at the level of the infra mammary fold so the breast is fully elevated including the posterior tissue. This reduces the chance of pulling the skin as the compression comes down.
• The patient stands facing the bucky with her head turned away from the side being examined. Keep one arm around her shoulder and the other hand to position the breast. Position from the medial side of the woman
Criteria for assessing the CC view
1. As much medial and lateral tissue visualised as possible
2. Aim to include pectoral muscle
3. Correct exposure
4. Adequate compression
5. No movement
6. Proper processing
7. No artefacts
8. No skin folds or shoulder in view
9. Images should be symmetrical
10. Correct film ID-patient details, markers, date, and radiographer's initials
11. Nipple in profile-if difficult, do an extra nipple view.
Medio-Lateral Oblique
• The degree of angulation depends on the angle of the pectoralis major muscle. The film holder should be parallel to the angle of the pectoral muscle at the mid axillary line. Generally taller, slimmer women need a steeper angle. Smaller women may need to be more lateral and larger breasted women less than 45 degrees.
• Ask the woman the place her hand on the bar as the armpit is placed over the bucky corner. Ensure no folds on the lateral side of the breast and check all the lateral tissue is on the edge of the Bucky. The arm should be resting over and on to the back of the bucky.
• Gently push the shoulder down by the hand on the clavicle.
• Once sure there is adequate axillary tissue, position the breast and apply the compression while supporting the inferior aspect. The breast needs to be pulled up and out so that it will be imaged at 90 degrees to the chest wall.
• Ensure no folds and smooth out the inframammary region. To be sure that all the breast tissue has been imaged the top of the compression plate should be just below the clavicle and the inner edge alongside the sternum.
