The factor of magnification in mammography

The last generation of mammographic equipment allows mammography to be performed with direct magnification techniques, thanks to such technical features as microfocus, high focus-film distance, high-power generators. The authors compared the diagnostic yield of two different equipment sets, with 1.4x and 2x magnification respectively, and verified the utility of magnification radiography. A significant reduction was obtained in questionable diagnoses (42 to 18) in a group of 63 patients, with no evidence of substantial differences in the diagnostic yield of the images obtained with different magnification ratios. An objective analysis of the system resolution power privileges 2x magnification ratio, which however implies an increase in the average dose to the breast. The use of faster recording systems reduces the dose by 50%, though maintaining good image quality.