Which quantity of filtration is most likely used in mammography?

In mammography, the use of molybdenum (Mo) filtration is preferred due to its ability to effectively filter out low-energy photons that do not contribute to image formation while allowing higher-energy photons to pass through. The specific choice of 0.5 mm of molybdenum is significant because it provides an optimal balance between image quality and patient dose.

Molybdenum filtration is particularly important in mammography because breast tissue has a relatively low atomic number, and using a filter that matches the energy characteristics of the x-ray beam to the breast tissue composition enhances contrast and resolution in the imaging. This is crucial for the detection of small lesions in dense breast tissue.

While aluminum is commonly used in general radiography, its filtering qualities differ from molybdenum when it comes to the specific energy range needed for effective mammographic imaging. Therefore, 0.5 mm Mo is the standard and most effective choice in mammography due to its tailored attenuation properties for the specific imaging requirements of breast tissue.