X-ray phase-contrast technology in breast imaging : principles, options, and clinical application

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review different x-ray phase-contrast breast imaging techniques and their potential application in clinical settings. CONCLUSION. Phase-contrast imaging depicts not only the absorption contrast but also the refraction contrast of the transmitted x-ray beam. Early data suggest that this new modality may overcome some of the diagnostic limitations associated with current clinically available mammography systems and that it has potential for improving breast cancer detection.