{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,20]],"date-time":"2026-04-20T08:30:51Z","timestamp":1776673851462,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,19]],"date-time":"2026-04-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776556800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Diagnostics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Image quality of mammograms in breast cancer screening is strongly operator-dependent, particularly in the mediolateral oblique (MLO) projection where adequate visualisation of the pectoralis major muscle serves as a surrogate marker of posterior tissue inclusion. Current positioning assessment is predominantly qualitative and subject to inter-observer variability. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate pectoral muscle visualisation and compression force variability among radiographers participating in a national screening programme. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka in January and February 2020. A total of 464 digital MLO mammograms were analysed. Images from nine radiographers were randomly retrieved from the institutional Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Pectoral muscle length and width were measured using a standard clinical workstation with an integrated distance measurement tool. Additional variables included radiographer gender, breast side (LMLO vs. RMLO), imaging order, and applied compression force. Statistical analyses included Welch\u2019s ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, t-tests, and appropriate post hoc comparisons. Results: Across all MLO projections, the combined mean pectoral muscle width was 41.0 \u00b1 11.4 mm and the mean length was 134.3 \u00b1 21.7 mm. Significant inter-operator differences were observed in pectoral muscle width (p &lt; 0.001) and length (p = 0.023). Mean muscle width ranged from 35.0 mm to 54.2 mm, and mean length from 126.5 mm to 139.4 mm across radiographers. No significant differences were found with respect to radiographer gender, breast side, or imaging order (all p &gt; 0.05). Compression force differed significantly among radiographers (p &lt; 0.001), ranging from 117.0 \u00b1 18.3 N to 184.8 \u00b1 33.9 N. Conclusions: This study demonstrates significant inter-operator variability in both pectoral muscle visualisation and applied compression force during MLO mammography. These findings indicate that important technical aspects of mammographic examination remain strongly operator-dependent and highlight the need for more consistent positioning practices within screening programmes. Quantitative measurement of pectoral muscle dimensions may serve as a practical and objective approach for monitoring positioning quality and supporting quality assurance in routine clinical practice.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics16081218","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,20]],"date-time":"2026-04-20T07:15:08Z","timestamp":1776669308000},"page":"1218","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Quantitative Evaluation of Pectoral Muscle Visualisation as an Indicator of Positioning Quality in Screening Mammography"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Maja","family":"Kari\u0107","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Kre\u0161imirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia"},{"name":"Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Ul. Viktora Cara Emina 5, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2746-9584","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Doris","family":"\u0160egota Rito\u0161a","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Physics and Radiation Protection, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Kre\u0161imirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia"},{"name":"Department for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine Rijeka, University of Rijeka, Bra\u0107e Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4029-5432","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Petra","family":"Valkovi\u0107 Zuji\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Kre\u0161imirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia"},{"name":"Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Bra\u0107e Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dagar, N., Sarin, M., Yadav, P., and Thidwar, R. 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