title: First application of computed radiology to mammography with synchrotron radiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of phase-contrast mammography with synchrotron radiation using a high-resolution computed radiology (CR) system devoted to mammography.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed at the Synchrotron Radiation for Medical Physics (SYRMEP) beamline of the Elettra synchrotron radiation (SR) facility in Trieste (Italy); X-ray beams were in the range 16-22 keV with a high degree of monochromaticity and spatial coherence. The CR system evaluated is the FCR Profect CS by Fujifilm Global. The first images were obtained from test objects and surgical breast specimens. Images obtained using SR and both screen-film and the CR system were compared with images of the same samples acquired with digital mammography equipment. In view of the good quality of the results obtained, the CR system was used in two mammographic examinations with SR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Images acquired using SR and both screen-film and CR were obtained with the same level of delivered dose. Image quality obtained with CR was similar or superior to that of screen-film images. Moreover, the digital images obtained with SR were always better than those acquired using the digital mammography system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phase-contrast mammography with SR using the studied CR system is a feasible option.
authors: Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Quai
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Longo
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Zanconati
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Jaconelli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tonutti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Abrami
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Arfelli
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Dreossi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Tromba
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Cova
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D017356:Synchrotrons