Phase Contrast Imaging in the Field of Mammography

Summary

It is very well known that imaging low contrast details in soft tissues is the main limitation of conventional X-ray radiology. Phase contrast imaging overcomes this limitation. Up to now, however, all the applications of this technique required high radiation doses, raising several questions about its utilisation in medical radiology.

The first low dose phase contrast X-ray images were obtained by the SYRMEP Collaboration at ELETTRA, the Trieste synchrotron radiation facility. We produced high contrast resolution images of phantoms and of a specimen of human breast tissue with doses comparable to those used in standard mammography by introducing an intensifier screen behind the X-ray film. Our theoretical simulations and experimental tests not only demonstrate how the ELETTRA bending-magnet beam is suitable for phase contrast imaging, but also show that the source size requirements are not very stringent. This opens the way to widespread applications of this simple and effective technique to medical radiology and to other fields.