Characterization of optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry using NaCl pellets in breast x-ray imaging

In this study, NaCl pellets read with optically stimulated luminescence were evaluated for their potential use as a point dosemeter in breast x-ray imaging. Dosimetry with NaCl pellets has previously been applied to various environmental and medical settings. NaCl pellets have potential in clinical breast dosimetry because they can enable multiple point measurements to be simultaneously conducted in a cost- and time-efficient manner. Using two digital mammography imaging systems, the air kerma response of the NaCl pellets for a standard breast setup was investigated. The air kerma response was observed to be linear, and mathematical fits were successfully used to estimate the cumulative incident air kerma during digital breast tomosynthesis. Deviations from a reference digital dosemeter were 6% and 8% for the two mammography systems, respectively. Measurements conducted at different angles of exposure showed that the NaCl pellets had no angular dependency in the range ± 15°. Finally, the uniformity of the beams was confirmed to avoid possible errors due to the uncertainty of the dosemeters’ positions in the exposure field.