Analog vs Digital Mammography Systems
This article has been updated 12-09-2023
Mammography is used to detect and examine changes in the breast tissue. This is why mammography systems are so important in women’s health care.
Analog mammography machines were the standard for many years. However, in 2000, the FDA approved the first full-field digital mammography unit, which improved image quality dramatically.
Since then, 3D mammography has further increased image quality. But that is a story for another article.
If you would like to learn more about mammography in general, you can read our complete guide. Just click the button and you’ll get to the guide.
Differences Between Analog and Digital Mammography Systems
So, what is the difference between analog and digital mammography?
Analog mammography uses low dose radiation that produces X-rays to detect tissue changes.
It captures the X-ray beams on film cassettes, and the outcome is a film showing the breast from different angles, which can be examined on film or translated by a CR to a digital image.
On the other hand, digital mammography captures X-ray beams on a digital detector. This detector then converts the X-ray beams into electronic signals, which are transferred to a computer.
In the end, the computerized images are available for review on a specialized high-resolution monitor.
Furthermore, the digital images can be analyzed by radiologists using the options and tools of the console/workstation.
For instance – magnifying, masking of light, inverting (negative of the image), and comparing them to previously obtained mammograms.
Do you want to know more about advantages and disadvantages of analog mammography machines?
Just keep scrolling.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Analog Mammography
Analog mammography is seen less and less on the market as the new standards for breast imaging is increasingly digital and 3D mammography.
But then, what are the advantages of analog mammography?
- One of their few advantages is that they are cheaper than the digital systems. However, as digital has become the most common machine, their prices has goes down slightly, and now the price difference between analog and digital is smaller.
- Maintenance costs are also generally cheaper than for digital. But you need an extra piece of equipment – a CR, if you want to convert to digital images.
- Furthermore, there is a reason that digital has taken over – the image quality is better. And handling, analyzing, and archiving images is much easier.
For the above reasons, unless your budget does not allow it, we recommend a digital mammography. We list more reasons below.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Mammography Machines
Why is digital mammography better?
There are many advantages to the digital mammography machine, and here we’ll go over a few of them.
Main advantages:
- More efficient workflow as the images are available immediately on the computer
- A monitor in the room instantly displays the image, which allows for repositioning of patients if necessary and therefore leads to fewer retakes
- The digital detector provides crisp images, even of larger breasts
- You can easily transfer images electronically to a central location for diagnosis (utilizing Picture Archiving and Communications System – PACS)
- Easy analysis of images
- Radiation doses are 30-40% lower than for analog systems
- Earlier detection of cancer, also in those with denser breasts
- Finally, it works very well with Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) devices
One of the disadvantages of digital mammography machines is that they are a bit more expensive. However, as covered above, that is a less and less relevant concern.
Sum Up – Analog vs Digital Mammography Machines
When choosing which type of mammography machine you want, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages and weigh them up against your needs. The main takeaway, however, is that if you have a decent budget, you should aim for a digital mammography machine.
Even though analog might be slightly cheaper both in purchasing and maintenance cost, you cannot deny the added benefits of a digital system.
Furthermore, with analog you will probably need a CR as well, which is an extra piece of equipment to purchase and maintain.
What is the difference between analog and digital mammography?
One of the main differences is that analog mammography uses low dose radiation that produces X-rays to detect tissue changes. The images will be analyzed on film, or you can use a CR to digitally translate the images.
However, the digital mammography captures X-ray beams on a digital detector. The detector then helps you convert the X-ray beams into electronic signals, and these are transferred to a computer.
What are the advantages of analog mammography?
Why is digital mammography better?
If you would like to prepare yourself even better for your next mammography purchase, we recommend our complete guide on how to pick a system, that will cover the most important considerations.
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