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Atlas of breast cancer early detection

Breast imaging – Mammography technique – Pitfalls in techniques of mammography – Opacities from body parts causing artefacts in the examination field

  

Artefacts may be caused if parts of the patient’s body overlap areas of the examination field. They may obscure an underlying pathology.

Body parts obscuring an underlying pathology.

Probable cause – opacities because of body parts causing artefacts in the examination field
  • Poor patient positioning may cause overlap of body parts. Parts of the ear, chin, face, hand, or abdominal wall may overlap the breast under examination.

Rectification
  • Discomfort and pain during breast compression may cause the patient to bring her face or hand into the examination field. Talk to the patient; explain the significance of staying still and complying with instructions for a few seconds while the exposure is completed.








































































  


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