Contrast detail phantoms for X-ray phase-contrast mammography and tomography

Abstract

Primary goal of this study is to investigate the visibility of low contrast details of different size on images obtained at conventional mammography unit, and at a monochromatic synchrotron radiation source, in absorption based and phase contrast imaging setups. For this purpose, three physical phantoms made of paraffin as a bulk material were used. They embedded various low contrast features. Single projection images were acquired with the GE Senographe mammography unit and at the beamline ID17, ESRF, Grenoble. Comparison of images showed that images obtained in a phase contrast mode have more visible details than the images acquired either in absorption mode at the synchrotron or at the conventional x-ray mammography unit. Analysis for δ and μ suggests that paraffin may be a suitable material for the manufacturing of tissue-mimicking phantoms dedicated to phase contrast applications. Results will be exploited in the development of a dedicated phantom for phase contrast imaging.