Mammography positioning can be extremely challenging. Proper positioning is critical for breast cancer detection. The technologist must follow the proper standards for positioning and compression in order to achieve optimal imaging. The routine mammogram consists of two projections each which demonstrate specific areas of the breast. The focus of the technologist should always be to adequately image all the breast tissue and understand how to tailor the examination for difficult to position patients. This presentation teaches the detailed instruction of positioning the mediolateral oblique (MLO) view. Each step in positioning the MLO view is critical and there are consequences when a step is not followed through.
Objectives:
- Recognize optimal positioning of the MLO view
- Discuss the steps required for properly positioning the MLO view
- Understand proper hand maneuvers used when positioning the MLO view
- Describe the critical steps used when positioning the MLO view
- Properly critique the MLO view
- List the objective of the MLO view
- Understand breast anatomy visualized on the MLO view
- Describe the tissue not imaged on the MLO view
- Demonstrate proper positioning of the MLO view
- Describe the technologists role in positioning the MLO view
- List the steps for proper positioning of the MLO view
- Demonstrate how to correct suboptimal positioning of the MLO view
- List the most common positioning deficiencies of the MLO view