Transillumination (diaphanography) - an alternative imaging method in breast diagnosis

Since the beginning of the eighties transillumination of the breast in connection with computer digitalization of the images has experienced a revival as a totally harmless method of alternative diagnosis of the breast. The method is well suited in cases with the mammography being of limited value, such as radiologically dense mammae and cicatricial changes. The biological background of diaphanography and its capabilities and limitations are shown. Its value is compared with well-known and usual methods (mammography, sonography). The transillumination method is suggested to become a pre-screening method between clinical investigation and mammography. (author)