DIGITAL MAGNIFICATION MAMMOGRAPHY - A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVED VISUALIZATION OF MICROCALCIFICATIONS IN MAMMOGRAPHY

Special X-ray tubes with electromagnetic focusing provide a spatial re solution of up to 50 lp/mm at a focal spot size of about 10 mum. Radio graphs of whole female breast specimens as well as paraffin blocks wer e taken at magnifications up to x 10. The initial results revealed num erous microcalcifications smaller than <100 mum that had not been dete cted by conventional grid mammography. The combination of a microfocal spot with digital radiography results in as yet unmatched resolution of microcalcifications and makes the advantages of image post-processi ng available to mammography. However, specific types of calcification could not be established in malignant or benign histological findings.