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Today, the mammogram is still, despite its limits, the technology of excellence for the discovery of small dimension mammary carcinoma. This is not only in relation to the simplicity of execution and contained costs, but also for the recent transformation of the same analogue technology (traditional) into digital technology.
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The traditional mammogram image is an image on film that, like a photograph, once it has been produced, it is no longer modifiable. Instead, the digital image can be elaborated by computer even after its formation: therefore it can be opportunely modified by varying some parameters (contrast, brightness, enlargement, etc.) thereby rendering the correct visualisation of each diverse area of the mammary possible. |
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The advantages of digital mammography with respect to the analogue are summarised in the following points:
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• increased sensibility of the system and therefore the possibility of obtaining images of optimal diagnostic quality with a lower dose of radiation (from 30-50%);
• increased contrast resolution and therefore the possibility of better recognizing structures with little difference in contrast;
• capacity of compensating errors of exposition and therefore a good quality of all of the images and a reduction in the number of radiograms to repeat;
• direct reporting to the dedicated monitor in high definition and therefore a savings on film;
• abolishment of the traditional development of film and the relative polluting chemicals to dispose;
• reduction in the time of the exam;
• archiving of the data on information systems with the advantages in addition to practical management (and recovery of the same in real time) also in research and teaching;
• transmission at a distance of the image and therefore teleconference;
• the possibility of directly applying helpful diagnostic systems (CAD) that are currently in the advanced stages of study and that may, in the near future, avoid the necessity of applying the double reading proposed in many screening programs to increase sensibility.
Despite of all of these advantages, the digital system is subject to a spatial resolution that is inferior to that of the analogue and to a cost that is notably elevated.
Regarding the first point, the minor spatial resolution however does not seem to influence the diagnostic potentiality due to the greater resolution of contrast by the digital system.
The economic obstacle is recoverable with an attentive management. In fact, the use of film is no longer necessary for registering and archiving the images with the consequent savings in terms of material, physical space and dedicated personnel. Therefore, it is possible to believe that in a brief time, digital mammography will substitute the analogue one.
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English 
