Two-dimensional digital mammography  (DM-2D) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) that takes place when a woman doesn’t know she’s pregnant pose no significant risk to the pregnant woman or her unborn fetus, concluded a Portuguese study published September 24 in Radiography.

“For the dose in the uterus, the obtained values seem to indicate that DM-2D and DBT examinations inadvertently performed during pregnancy do not pose a significant radiological risk, even considering the case of overexposure in both breasts,” wrote the team led by Dro A. R. Cepeda Martins of Igamaot in Lisbon.

“The accurate knowledge of the doses in DM-2D and DBT will contribute to [raising] the awareness among medical practitioners involved in breast imaging empowering them to provide accurate information about dose levels in the uterus, improving their radiation risk communication skills and consequently helping to reduce the anxiety of pregnant women undergoing [these types] of examinations,” wrote the team, addressing the implications for medical practitioners.

Sources:

A.R. Cepeda Martins, S. Di Maria, J. Afonso, M. Pereira, J. Pereira, P. Vaz. Assessment of the uterine dose in digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis. Radiography. Available online 24 September 2021. Accessed October 11, 2021, at https://www.radiographyonline.com/article/S1078-8174(21)00123-1/fulltext#secsectitle0010.

Allegretto, Amerigo. Mammography, DBT safe for accidental exam during pregnancy. AuntMinnie.com September 28, 2021. Accessed October 11, 2021, at https://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=wom&pag=dis&ItemID=133597.