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Atlas of breast cancer early detection

Breast imaging – Mammography technique – Mammography procedure – Obtaining mammographic images – Right MLO view

  

Steps to obtain the right MLO view
  1. Adjust the angle of the mammography unit gantry to 45 degrees so that the plane of the detector is parallel to the right pectoralis muscle.
  2. Place the image receptor in the detector.
  3. Place a lead identification marker “RMLO” on the breast support in the region of the upper axillary portion of the right breast.
  4. Adjust the height of the breast support to suit the woman’s habitus.
  5. Elevate the woman’s right arm and place it across the breast support, taking care that the arm is never higher than the right shoulder.
  6. Place the corner of the detector high in the right axilla and the compression paddle at the level of the right infraclavicular region.
  7. Raise the right breast and pull it forward, trying to gather all the deep lateral tissues. Make sure the woman’s shoulder is relaxed at all times.
  8. Ask the woman to turn her face to the left with her neck tilted backwards; ensure that no body parts overlap the breast being radiographed.
  9. Lower the compression paddle gently, maintaining the position of the breast, and ensuring that the nipple is in profile. Ensure that the breast does not slip out.
  10. When adequate compression (8–12 kg) has been achieved, step behind the protective lead shield and take the X-ray.
  11. The exposure is completed controlled by the AEC; a latent image is formed on the image receptor and compression releases automatically.
  12. Ask the patient to step aside from the mammography unit. Prepare the unit for the next exposure.
Gantry position and placement of marker





Patient positioning


































































  


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