Diaphanography is a noninvasive breast imaging technique used in diagnosis of breast disease. The breast is illuminated with low intensity light and the transmission pattern of red and near-infrared radiation is detected. After amplification and reconstruction, the images are displayed on a monitor.
Results from diaphanography tend to show lower sensitivities and specificities than are found in diagnostic mammography studies. Light scanning (diaphanography and transillumination) is not recommended for screening or diagnostic evaluation of the breast.

E-Z-EM, Inc. is headquartered in New York and develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic imaging products.
The business of E-Z-EM encompasses CT imaging, virtual colonoscopy, gastro devices and accessories, and healthcare decontaminants. E-Z-EM is also a third-party contract manufacturer of contrast media. The company provides contract manufacturing services in various product areas, including pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, as well as the marketing of radiological medical devices, such as entry biopsy needles and mammography wipes and related accessories.
Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. , the US-based subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A. and part of the Bracco Group, announced in Oct. 2007 that it has entered into a merger agreement to acquire E-Z-EM, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZEM) for a total consideration of about $ 240 million . Upon completion of the procedure and subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities, Bracco Diagnostics Inc. will incorporate E-Z-EM.

The focal spot is the point where the electron beam impinges on the tube anode and from which x-rays are emitted. The size of the focal spot is determined by the size of the filament and cathode, which is determined by the manufacturer.
Most x-ray tubes have more than one focal spot size. The size of the focal spot has influence on spatial resolution. The smaller the focal spot, the better the limiting spatial resolution of the x-ray system, especially in magnification mammography. The use of a small focal spot concentrates heat onto a smaller portion of the anode therefore, more heat is generated and a longer cooling time is necessary.

An intensifying screen is used to intensify the x-ray effect during radiation exposure of the x-ray film. Approximately 5% of the x-ray photons will be absorbed by the film only. Intensifying screens consist of a sheet of inorganic salts that emits fluorescent light when stroked by x-rays. The fluorescent input and output screens of the image intensifier are very similar to intensifying screens.
Calcium tungstate and rare earths are two common salts (also called phosphors) used for intensifying screens. For example, a calcium tungstate (CaWo4) screen can absorb around 40% of the x-ray photons and convert the radiation into light photons. A basic feature of this screen types is related to the position of the k-edge on the energy axis. Tungsten (W) is a heavy element has a k-edge at 69.5 keV, while that for rare earth elements is in around 50 keV.
The fraction of x-rays absorbed by a screen is depending on the speed. Factors affecting the speed of a screen: Mammography cassettes contain usually one intensifying screen, but most others use two screens per film cassette. The intensifying screen as part of a film screen system has been an important component in radiology to reduce the radiation dose of the patient. Today, the conventional film cassette is being replaced by an imaging plate used in digital systems.

See also Actinides, Cinefluorography and Added Filtration.

A lateral view is a 90° degree view performed medial to lateral or lateral to medial. In mammography, lateral views are used for triangulation with the craniocaudal view of the breast and to demonstrate microcalcifications dependent on gravity.