Ultra-high-strip-density radiographic grids: a new antiscatter technique for mammography.

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Abstract
A comprehensive study was conducted on the application of ultra-high-strip-density (UHSD) grids to mammography for the improvement of image contrast [in the diagnosis of human breast cancer]. These UHSD grids have strip densities of 70-100 lines/cm. After investigating the performance of mammographic grids with various design parameters through Monte Carlo simulation studies, prototypes were made of UHSD grids having Pb strip thicknesses of 20-37 .mu.m, Al interspacer thicknesses of 80-120 .mu.m, and grid ratios of 2 to 6. The UHSD grids can be placed inside the cassette without a Bucky tray and thus will not increase geometric unsharpness. The measured physical characteristics and the phantom images obtained confirmed the findings in the simulation studies. A 40-90% increase in contrast was achieved at Bucky factors of 2-3.5; these results are comparable with those from conventional antiscatter grid techniques in mammography. The potential usefulness of the UHSD grids was demonstrated in a preliminary clinical comparison of mammograms.