TOMOSYNTHESIS: A Three-Dimensional Radiographic Imaging Technique

A three-dimensional radiographic imaging system has been developed, and is presently being clinically evaluated. Twenty conventional radiographs are reduced and reprojected into a display volume according to a geometry which matches the X-ray source geometry. The images are integrated on a viewing screen and produce the tomographic plane corresponding to the screen´s position. Planes parallel and tilted with respect to the scanning plane can be observed by simply adjusting the screen. The image is continuous in all directions, possesses a resolution of about 2lp/mm, and is usually true-sized, although factors of 2 or 3 in magnification can be easily produced.