New Contrast Media Designed for X-Ray Energy Subtraction Imaging in Digital Mammography

Abstract

The instrumental and physical data outlined predestine Zr as contrasting element with a high potential for energy subtraction imaging in digital mammography in the energy range conventionally applied.

Contrast‐enhanced spectral mammography with a photon‐counting detector

“…It is likely that a contrast agent with a K-edge close to the center of the mammography energy region ͑i.e., atomic numbers ϳ39-53͒ would improve the results due to a more optimal bin count fraction. Zirconium has been suggested, 29 but the K-edge at 18.0 keV might instead be too low for optimal performance in our case. Iodine concentrations of 3-4 mg/ml have been found reasonable for tumor uptake.…”

Digital mammography: current state and future aspects

“…No uptake of iodine contrast material was observed in 7 of 12 cases with suspicious lesions in standard mammography which were proven to be benign [36]. Moreover, newly designed contrast media could optimize contrast-enhanced techniques in digital mammography [37].…”

Radiologic Techniques for Early Detection and Diagnosis

“…As with breast MRI and breast CT (see text that follows), the contrast agent preferentially collects in the interstitium of cancers rather than normal tissue. An iodine-based contrast agent, such as that used for routine clinical applications in body and brain CT scanning, is used for CEDM, although gadolinium 29 and even zirconium-based 30 agents have also been proposed.…”