Phase-contrast X-ray CT image of breast tumor.

Phase-contrast X-ray CT images generated by differences in refractive indices can be used to visualize the internal structures of soft tissues without contrast enhancement. In this study, imaging of human breast tumor was performed on formalin-fixed samples. Experiments were carried out at the synchrotron source of the Photon Factory, Tsukuba, Japan. The X-ray energy was adjusted to 17.7 keV. Phase-contrast X-ray CT images revealed various structures of human breast tumor as clearly as optical images.