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 begins with the basics of positioning and compression followed by detailed instruction of positioning the craniocaudal (CC) view. Each step in positioning the CC view is critical and there are consequences when a step is not followed through.
Objectives:
- Recognize optimal positioning of the CC view
- Discuss the steps required for properly positioning the CC view
- Understand proper hand maneuvers used when positioning the CC view
- Describe the critical steps used when positioning the CC view
- Properly critique the CC view
- List the objective of the CC view
- Understand breast anatomy visualized on the CC view
- Describe the tissue not imaged on the CC view
- Demonstrate proper positioning of the CC view
- Describe the technologists role in positioning the CC view
- List the steps for proper positioning of the CC view
- Demonstrate how to correct suboptimal positioning of the CC view
- List the most common positioning deficiencies of the CC view