Is a grid used when performing contact mammography?

In contact mammography, a grid is indeed used to improve image quality by reducing the amount of scattered radiation that reaches the film or digital receptor. The purpose of the grid is to enhance the contrast of the images and ensure that the details required for accurate diagnosis are better visualized. Grids help in increasing the clarity of structures within the breast by allowing only the primary radiation to penetrate while absorbing scattered photons, which can result in a foggy or less distinct image. This is particularly important in mammography, where precise imaging of fine details like microcalcifications and small tumors is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

While the use of a grid is standard in contact mammography, options that question the general practice or limit the use of grids based on tissue density or specific equipment can be misleading. In routine practice, grids are a necessary component to optimize imaging across different breast tissue types, making the use of a grid consistently important in contact mammography.