[Synchrotron radiation: a new source in x-ray mammography]

This work was aimed at evaluating the image quality obtainable in X-ray mammography using synchrotron radiation monochromatic lines. After a short review of the current mammographic techniques, the main features of synchroton radiation in the X-ray field are analyzed, especially of that emitted by the Adone storage ring. Its features are then compared with the radiation emitted by a Coolidge tube. The experimental unit used in this study, including beamline, monochromator and mammograph, is then described together with the experimental method for carrying out a series of experiments in the mammographic field employing both monochromatic lines (E = 17 keV) and white radiation from conventional sources. The first series of experiments is described, which employed standard phantoms: the dependence of resolution and contrast on both wavelength and thickness of breast specimens is reported. Several mammograms of neoplastic breast specimens were obtained after mastectomy: they were acquired using both synchrotron monochromatic lines and radiation emitted by a conventional tube and employing the same acquisition system. The comparison of the two series of images shows that synchrotron radiation can demonstrate a high number of anatomopathologic details with high definition, contrast and resolution which cannot be obtained by means of a conventional source. Our results appear very promising and suggest synchrotron radiation as the major tool in the early diagnosis of neoplastic breast lesions.