Xeroradiography--an in-depth review.

Xeroradiology has been reviewed from the earliest description of charged powder imaging by Lichtenberg in 1977 through its more recent development and widespread use. The principles of photoconductivity, selenium characteristics, and edge enhancement were explained, and the basic components and operation of xeroradiographic equipment were outlined. Xeroradiography has achieved its greatest usefulness in mammography and the evaluation of breast disease. Although early workers in the field were discouraged by the relatively primitive nature of the equipment, Wolfe, by his persistent investigation, demonstrated the value of xeroradiography. He proposed the following advantages over film mammography: ease of interpretation; more information on one image; a more rapid, dry developing process; less irradiation required than nonscreen industrial type film; and probably greater accuracy. Each of these factors were reviewed in detail, type film; and probably greater accuracy. Each of these factors were reviewed in detail, and the factors influencing dose reduction were elaborated. The application of xeroradiography to nearly every aspect of diagnostic radiology has been attempted. Areas of greatest effectiveness include the evaluation of the pharyngeal and laryngeal structures of the head and neck, foreign body detection in soft tissues, verification of radiotherapy beam coverage and treatment field, detection of soft tissue tumors and some bone tumors for soft tissue components, and visualization of the smaller skeletal structures of the extremities. Because of radiation dosage limitations, xeroradiography cannot, at present, be used for routine examinations of the thicker body portions, the chest, or the abdomen. Investigations are continuing into methods of increasing the sensitivity of the process, thereby hopefully significantly reducing the radiation dose and allowing more widespread use of xeroradiography in these areas.