At higher magnification factors, which of the following is typically increased?

When increasing the magnification factor in mammography, the most significant aspect that typically increases is the skin dose to the patient. This happens because magnification requires the x-ray tube to be positioned closer to the breast, which can enhance the dose of radiation delivered to the skin surface, compared to standard imaging techniques.

In mammography, the goal of magnification is to obtain a more detailed view of small structures within the breast, which is particularly useful for assessing microcalcifications or small lesions. However, this enhancement in detail comes at the cost of increased radiation exposure to the skin, necessitating careful management to keep doses within acceptable limits.

While image resolution may improve with magnification, it is the radiation dose that fundamentally changes due to the altered geometry and position of the x-ray beam. Patient comfort generally does not improve with higher magnification, and although object distance is a factor, it is not typically described as increasing in a meaningful sense when magnifying images. The main focus in this context remains on the skin dose, highlighting the importance of balancing diagnostic imaging quality with patient safety.