Tissue analysis using X-ray scattering

Scattered radiation in medicine is usually regarded as a problem. It either degrades image contrast or increases absorbed dose. However, if monitored correctly it can provide additional information in diagnostic procedures. It is shown that both coherent and incoherent scattering have a useful role to play. Incoherent or Compton scattering can be used to estimate the density of internal structures, In the study of osteoporosis it has been shown that Compton scatter densitometry leads to better estimates of trabecular bone density than dual-energy absorptiometry. Coherent scattering leads to diffraction effects. These have been used in the study of both archeological and clinical osteoporosis and have been shown to have greater precision than currently accepted procedures. However, the greatest impact for coherent scattering techniques is in the study of breast cancer. Tumour detection can be significantly increased. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.