An aid to the viewing and reporting of the mammograms of the augmented breast

We present a tool to aid in the visualisation of the breast tissue in women who have breast implants.

The tool presented is easy to use and cheap to make. A selection of different sizes and shapes of mask is used to correspond to the various shapes and sizes of implant. The tool may be customised to a suit a specific implant.

The tool is placed directly over the implant to mask the light transmitted through it. Subjectively, this gave a great improvement in the quality of the image of the breast tissue demonstrated.

A study was undertaken to accurately measure the luminance (cdm²) in all areas of the breast demonstrated on the mammograms. A wide range of readings were achieved throughout the breast and varied considerably as we measured through glandular and fibrous tissue as well as through adipose tissue and skin.

We conclude that the relative brightness of the visualised breast tissue increases by a factor of 10,000 with the use of the tool to mask the implant. Mammographers and film readers have found this tool a useful aid to the viewing and accurate reporting of mammograms of the augmented breast.