Assessment of local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLS) for full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) mammography in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) mammography in India. Data from 1500 women were collected from five different mammography facilities in major cities in Tamil Nadu, India. The mean of mean glandular dose were used to arrive at an LDRL. The noted mean compressed breast thickness was 55.26 ± 3.4. The recorded mean MGDs for the five centres were 3.1 ± 0.1 and 3.8 ± 0.2 mGy for FFDM and DBT, respectively. The 75th percentile value for all five centers is 3.3 and 4.0 mGy for FFDM and DBT, respectively. The LDRLs found in the current study were also compared with those from earlier studies conducted in other nations, such as the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Morocco, and Ghana. The present study is the first of its kind to determine the LDRL for the FFDM and DBT scanners operating in the Tamil Nadu region, India, and is proposed as a starting point that will allow professionals to evaluate and optimize their practice. Furthermore, similar studies in other regions of India are necessary in order to establish National DRLs.