Determination of the structure of tissue samples using X-ray small angle scattering

X-ray small angle scattering has been used in material science for about 50 years. In diagnostic medicine, it has been applied for some years. The theoretical background is the diffraction of monochromatic X-rays by the electrons of small particles. The widening of the primary beam by those samples allows a conclusion regarding particle size, size distribution, and the form of the particles. The camera requires a well-defined and small X-ray beam which has to be entrapped exactly behind the sample. To date, the medical application has been carried out mainly by the comparison of the measured curve with that of standard samples. It can be suggested that in the near future its application in medicine will increase particularly with regard to in vivo measurements. For this purpose, new cameras will have to be developed. An exact evaluation of the result requires a thorough knowledge of the theoretical basis.