Diffraction Enhanced Imaging - a new imaging technique for the diagnosis of femoral head necrosis [Diffraction enhanced imaging - Ein neues bildgebungsverfahren zur diagnostik der hüftkopfnekrose]

Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI) is a phase-sensitive X-ray imaging technique. DEI allows to create brilliant images of bone, joints and soft tissues. The options of this new method for the diagnosis of changes of the spongy bone remodelling are demonstrated on example of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The method is based on an analyzer-based imaging technique which makes it possible to detect diffracted X-rays selectively. Diffraction images were computerized into color-coded differential pictures. These calculated pictures do not only show physical images of diffractive properties of the object, but also at high resolution of the interior structure of the human body, introducing a histological quality to radiology.