Presentation
The patient presented for a diagnostic mammogram and brought her "old" studies for comparison.
Patient Data
A normal xerogram with no suspicious abnormalities present. There are no intramammary or axillary lymph nodes additionally.
Case Discussion
Xeroradiography, an obsolete imaging technique, is the science of recording radiographic images electronically on a selenium plate. It was invented by physicist and patent attorney Chester F. Carlson in 1937b 2. The Xerox Corporation (previously called the Haloid Company) obtained a license and started commercial development in 1947. Financed by the American Cancer Society, Xerox was requested to design a machine that could easily be operated, which remained clean and dry and which produced superb images regardless of climatic conditions. This became the Xerox System 125 and allowed xeroradiography and xeromammography to progress further. The images are blue in color due to the use of a blue powder (toner) within the unit. One of the advantages of xeroradiography was edge enhancement. There is consequent exquisite detail and edge contrast as seen by the above crisp and sharp delineation of the breast parenchyma, bones and axillary soft tissues.
This patient presented with a pristine set of xerograms looked after for approximately 45 years.
The images are printed on cardboard and hence read left-right versus the current convention of right-left views.
Disclosure: I, Ashesh I Ranchod, have no actual or potential ethical or financial conflict of interest in relation to this device. This case is not intended to be a personal endorsement or recommendation of this product.
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