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
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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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