Image blur: back to basics

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A survey of films repeated for technical reasons in the NHSBSP has recently been carried out. In particular, the number of films repeated for blurring was of interest. The data did not indicate a problem with any specific X-ray equipment and it was suggested that the change in technology and design of compression mechanisms on the newer X-ray machines may necessitate a change in radiographic technique to achieve optimum breast images.

We have undertaken a study of our own technical recall rates looking at the many different reasons why blurring occurs.

We will suggest that the mammographer can minimise image blurring by applying some basic radiographic principles, often forgotten as we strive to perfect this challenging technique.