Scatter/primary ratios for x-ray spectra modified to enhance iodine contrast in screen-film mammography.

Contrast mammography to detect the uptake of iodine-containing contrast material may be enhanced by spectral modification of the x-ray beam. Luminance scatter-to-primary ratios were measured for three candidate x-ray tube anode/filter combinations (Mo/Mo, W/Ce, and Ce/Ce). Results show that scattered radiation is significant for all tubes, is lowest for the Mo/Mo system and is essentially the same for the tungsten and cerium anode systems.