Contrast-enhanced dual-energy mammography using a scanned multislit system:: evaluation of a differential beam filtering technique

This paper describes a method for single-exposure, contrast-enhanced dual-energy imaging of tumors utilizing a scanned multislit system for digital mammography. This photon-counting system employs an array of silicon strip detectors mounted in an edge-on geometty. The line detectors and pre- and post-collimator slits are carefully aligned, and the multislit setup allows differential filtering of the x-ray beam in the pre-collimator slits. A high-energy image is constructed from those lines where the filter material has been chosen to harden the x-ray beam and the lowenergy image from the lines with a filter producing softer beams. Both images are obtained in the same scan, eliminating the need to change tube voltages and anode materials and minimizing the risk of motion artifacts. The method is illustrated on a purpose-built phantom, and logarithmic subtraction of the images produces images essentially free of anatomical clutter with the contrast-enhanced targets clearly visible. (C) 2007 SPIE and IS&T.