Mediolateral oblique projection in mammography: use of different angulation for patients with different thorax anatomies

Authors

  • Anja Bedene Institute of Oncology, National Breast Cancer Screening department – DORA, Zaloška 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Erna Alukić University of Ljubljana, Faculty of health sciences, Medical imaging and radiotherapy department, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0030-0471
  • Janez Žibert University of Ljubljana, Faculty of health sciences, Medical imaging and radiotherapy department, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2312-5431
  • Nejc Mekiš University of Ljubljana, Faculty of health sciences, Medical imaging and radiotherapy department, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-7415

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17532/jhsci.2019.854

Keywords:

breast, digital mammography, mammography, patient positioning, MLO

Abstract

Introduction: The literature describes that MLO projection is not done only with angulation of 45° but there is a wider span of angles that can be used. Therefore, we have investigated if the use of alternative angulation in mammographic imaging in relation to specific patient anatomies shows more breast tissue.

Methods: MLO mammograms form 491 patients that had a mammography imaging performed at alternative and basic angulation were included in the study. Angulation of 55° was performed when patient had small breasts and convex sternum. The angle of 35° was used for patients with large breasts and concave sternum as well as for patients with shorter thoraxes. Measurements assessed the width of the pectoral muscle, the retromammary part, and the inframammary part of the breast for both projections (alternative and basic).

Results: When comparing the angulations of 45° and 55°, all three measured widths were in favor of 55°: the pectoral muscle was on average wider by 4%, the basal part by 1.3%, and the inframammary part by 29%. When comparing angulations of 35° and 45°, at the angulation of 35°, the basal part was wider by 3.3% and inframammary part by 32.4%. There were no differences in the width of the pectoral muscle between mentioned angulations.

Conclusion: Based on our results, we recommend the use of a 55° angle as more appropriate for patients with longer thoraxes and small breasts and the use of a 35° angle for those with shorter thoraxes and large breasts.


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Published

30.04.2019

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Research articles

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How to Cite

1.
Mediolateral oblique projection in mammography: use of different angulation for patients with different thorax anatomies. JHSCI [Internet]. 2019 Apr. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 12];9(1):40-5. Available from: https://www.jhsci.ba/ojs/index.php/jhsci/article/view/854