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Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Identifies external causes of detector artifacts or calibration failures, including contamination, positioning, and system setup issues affecting image quality.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Confirm no patient is in the system and no exposure is active.
- Why: Prevents unnecessary radiation exposure during troubleshooting.
Identify Artifact Type and Consistency
- Review images and determine:
- Lines, bands, or pixel dropouts
- Shading or non-uniform brightness
- Fixed vs. intermittent artifacts
- Expected Outcome:
- Fixed artifacts → likely detector or calibration issue
- Intermittent artifacts → possible connection or environmental issue
Verify Artifact Across All Displays and Images
- Check:
- Acquisition workstation monitor
- Review workstation (if available)
- Stored PACS images
- Expected Outcome:
- Artifact only on one display → monitor issue
- Artifact on all images → detector/system issue
Inspect Detector Surface and Compression Paddle
- Check for:
- Dust, debris, or contrast residue
- Fingerprints or fluid contamination
- Damaged or dirty compression paddle
- Clean using approved wipes if needed.
- Expected Outcome:
- Contamination removed may eliminate image artifacts.
- Why: Even small debris can create visible artifacts in mammography imaging.
Verify Proper Detector Positioning and Compression Setup
- Ensure:
- Paddle is properly seated
- No tilt or uneven compression
- Detector is fully engaged in position
- Expected Outcome:
- Improper positioning corrected may resolve shading or calibration errors.
Perform Detector Calibration / Flat Field Correction
- Run the system’s detector calibration (flat field) procedure per user-accessible controls.
- Expected Outcome:
- Successful calibration removes non-uniformity or fixed pattern noise
- System completes calibration without errors
- Why: Calibration compensates for detector sensitivity variations.
Check for Environmental or Interference Factors
- Assess for:
- Recent room changes (equipment moved, shielding changes)
- Nearby electrical interference sources
- Temperature or humidity extremes
- Expected Outcome:
- Environmental correction stabilizes detector response if affected.
Inspect External Cables and Connections (If Accessible)
- Check visible detector-related cabling (if applicable on system configuration):
- Secure connections
- No pinched or damaged cables
- Expected Outcome:
- Restoring connection integrity may resolve intermittent artifacts.
Reboot the System
- Perform a controlled shutdown and restart.
- Expected Outcome:
- Temporary detector communication or calibration faults may clear after reboot.
If the Problem Persists
If artifacts remain after cleaning, calibration, and verification of external factors, internal detector or acquisition hardware failure is likely.
Remove the system from service, label it Out of Service, and escalate for vendor service or bench evaluation.
Knowing when to stop prevents unnecessary risk and protects image quality.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot image quality issues during patient exams. Always move the patient to another system before performing calibration or testing.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported vertical line artifacts present on all mammography images."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Detector calibration drift and contamination identified on detector surface."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Cleaned detector surface and performed flat field calibration; artifacts resolved and image quality restored."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Artifact type (line, shading, noise)
- Appears on all images or intermittent
- Calibration success or failure
- Detector cleaned
- Paddle condition verified
- Environmental changes noted
- Final image quality status
Final Thought
Mammography image quality is critical for accurate diagnosis. Always start with simple external checks like cleanliness, positioning, and calibration before escalating. Clear documentation and timely removal from service when needed ensure patient safety and diagnostic reliability.
That is successful troubleshooting.