Development of x-ray slot scan diffraction imaging for detection of carcinoma

In this study, we present a simple, low dose, cost-effective slot scan diffraction imaging system compatible with slot-scan attenuation mammography to improve detection and localization of carcinoma. The system captures angle-resolved coherent scatter information to enhance tissue contrast beyond what is achievable with conventional imaging alone. Diffraction imaging, employed simultaneously with conventional attenuation imaging, has the potential to provide new information that could improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic mammography. Performance was evaluated using smallex-vivobenign and cancerous human breast tissue samples. The detection of carcinoma embedded in benign tissue demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for distinguishing breast cancer from benign tissue with a setup that could be readily adapted into a clinically relevant system for diagnostic radiology.