Final answer:
The average glandular dose (AGD) is a measure of radiation absorbed by the breast tissue during a mammogram. The AGD on a compressed 4.2 cm breast in a single view must not exceed a certain threshold set by guidelines. Optimizing mammogram parameters can help reduce AGD without compromising image quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average glandular dose (AGD) is a measure of the radiation dose absorbed by the breast tissue during a mammogram. It is important to minimize this dose to reduce the risk of potential radiation harm.
The AGD on a compressed 4.2 cm breast in a single view must not exceed a certain threshold. The specific threshold will depend on the type of mammography system used and the guidelines set by regulatory bodies or medical societies. The AGD is typically measured in milligrays (mGy) or milligray-centimeters (mGy-cm).
To ensure the AGD remains within safe limits, various factors need to be considered, such as the technique used during the mammogram, the breast compression force, the kvp (kilovoltage peak) setting, and the automatic exposure control (AEC) system if available. By optimizing these parameters, radiologists can achieve a lower AGD without compromising image quality.