Functional MRI technique is vital in investigating the effect of an intervention on cortical activation in normal and patient population. In many such investigations, block stimulation paradigms are still the preferred method of inducing brain activation during functional imaging sessions because of the high BOLD response, ease in implementation and subject compliance especially in patient population. However, effect of an intervention can be validly interpreted only after reproducibility of a detectable BOLD response evoked by the stimulation paradigm is first verified in the absence of the intervention. Detecting a large BOLD response that is also reproducible is a difficult task particularly in olfactory Functional MRI studies due to the factors such as (a) susceptibility-induced signal loss in olfactory related brain areas and (b) desensitization to odors due to prolonged odor stimulation, which is typical when block paradigms are used. Therefore, when block paradigms are used in olfactory interventional Functional MRI studies, the effect of the intervention may not be easily interpretable due to the factors mentioned above. The first task of this thesis was to select a block stimulation paradigm that would produce a large and reproducible BOLD response. It was hypothesized that a BOLD response of this nature could be produced if within-block and across-session desensitization could be minimized and further, that desensitization could be minimized by reducing the amount of odor by pulsing the odor stimulus within a block instead of providing a continuous odor throughout the block duration. Once the best paradigm was selected, the second task of the thesis was to select the best model for use in general linear model (GLM) analysis of the functional data, so that robust activation is detected in olfactory related brain areas. Finally, the third task was to apply the paradigm and model that were selected as the best among the ones tested in this thesis, to an olfactory interventional Functional MRI study investigating the effect of food (bananas) eaten to satiety on the brain activation to the odor related to that food. The methods used in this thesis to ensure valid interpretation of an interventional effect, can serve as a template for the experimental design of future interventional Functional MRI studies.

Bakgrund: Ett sjukhus i mellersta Sverige utför samordnade undersökningar i samband med när barnet behöver sövas inför en magnetisk resonanstomografi (MR) undersökning. Detta koordineras och bokas av en röntgensjuksköterska som därefter skickar ut en kallelse till patienten. Syfte: Att belysa hur föräldrar upplever att flera olika undersökningar utförs på deras barn i samband med sövning vid MR-undersökning. Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ ansats där enskilda intervjuer med föräldrarna har skett. Urvalet för studien bestod av åtta föräldrar vars barn blev sövda inför en MR-undersökning där fler andra undersökningar gjordes vid samma tillfälle. Resultat: Informanterna var helt eniga om att de samordnade undersökningarna var något positivt. En viktig aspekt som många av informanterna nämnde var bemötandet från vårdpersonalen vilket majoriteten var nöjda med. Mindre nöjda var några informanter kring informationen angående MR. Slutsats: Generellt är föräldrarna nöjda med samordnade undersökningar. Ett informationsbrev kring hur MR-undersökningen utförs kan skickas med i kallelsen för att förbereda båda barn och föräldrar.

<p>The outcomes for both (i) radiation therapy and (ii) preclinical small animal radio- biology studies are dependent on the delivery of a known quantity of radiation to a specific and intentional location. Adverse effects can result from these procedures if the dose to the target is too high or low, and can also result from an incorrect spatial distribution in which nearby normal healthy tissue can be undesirably damaged by poor radiation delivery techniques. Thus, in mice and humans alike, the spatial dose distributions from radiation sources should be well characterized in terms of the absolute dose quantity, and with pin-point accuracy. When dealing with the steep spatial dose gradients consequential to either (i) high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy or (ii) within the small organs and tissue inhomogeneities of mice, obtaining accurate and highly precise dose results can be very challenging, considering commercially available radiation detection tools, such as ion chambers, are often too large for in-vivo use.</p><p>In this dissertation two tools are developed and applied for both clinical and preclinical radiation measurement. The first tool is a novel radiation detector for acquiring physical measurements, fabricated from an inorganic nano-crystalline scintillator that has been fixed on an optical fiber terminus. This dosimeter allows for the measurement of point doses to sub-millimeter resolution, and has the ability to be placed in-vivo in humans and small animals. Real-time data is displayed to the user to provide instant quality assurance and dose-rate information. The second tool utilizes an open source Monte Carlo particle transport code, and was applied for small animal dosimetry studies to calculate organ doses and recommend new techniques of dose prescription in mice, as well as to characterize dose to the murine bone marrow compartment with micron-scale resolution.</p><p>Hardware design changes were implemented to reduce the overall fiber diameter to <0.9 mm for the nano-crystalline scintillator based fiber optic detector (NanoFOD) system. Lower limits of device sensitivity were found to be approximately 0.05 cGy/s. Herein, this detector was demonstrated to perform quality assurance of clinical 192Ir HDR brachytherapy procedures, providing comparable dose measurements as thermo-luminescent dosimeters and accuracy within 20% of the treatment planning software (TPS) for 27 treatments conducted, with an inter-quartile range ratio to the TPS dose value of (1.02-0.94=0.08). After removing contaminant signals (Cerenkov and diode background), calibration of the detector enabled accurate dose measurements for vaginal applicator brachytherapy procedures. For 192Ir use, energy response changed by a factor of 2.25 over the SDD values of 3 to 9 cm; however a cap made of 0.2 mm thickness silver reduced energy dependence to a factor of 1.25 over the same SDD range, but had the consequence of reducing overall sensitivity by 33%.</p><p>For preclinical measurements, dose accuracy of the NanoFOD was within 1.3% of MOSFET measured dose values in a cylindrical mouse phantom at 225 kV for x-ray irradiation at angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270˝. The NanoFOD exhibited small changes in angular sensitivity, with a coefficient of variation (COV) of 3.6% at 120 kV and 1% at 225 kV. When the NanoFOD was placed alongside a MOSFET in the liver of a sacrificed mouse and treatment was delivered at 225 kV with 0.3 mm Cu filter, the dose difference was only 1.09% with use of the 4x4 cm collimator, and -0.03% with no collimation. Additionally, the NanoFOD utilized a scintillator of 11 µm thickness to measure small x-ray fields for microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) applications, and achieved 2.7% dose accuracy of the microbeam peak in comparison to radiochromic film. Modest differences between the full-width at half maximum measured lateral dimension of the MRT system were observed between the NanoFOD (420 µm) and radiochromic film (320 µm), but these differences have been explained mostly as an artifact due to the geometry used and volumetric effects in the scintillator material. Characterization of the energy dependence for the yttrium-oxide based scintillator material was performed in the range of 40-320 kV (2 mm Al filtration), and the maximum device sensitivity was achieved at 100 kV. Tissue maximum ratio data measurements were carried out on a small animal x-ray irradiator system at 320 kV and demonstrated an average difference of 0.9% as compared to a MOSFET dosimeter in the range of 2.5 to 33 cm depth in tissue equivalent plastic blocks. Irradiation of the NanoFOD fiber and scintillator material on a 137Cs gamma irradiator to 1600 Gy did not produce any measurable change in light output, suggesting that the NanoFOD system may be re-used without the need for replacement or recalibration over its lifetime.</p><p>For small animal irradiator systems, researchers can deliver a given dose to a target organ by controlling exposure time. Currently, researchers calculate this exposure time by dividing the total dose that they wish to deliver by a single provided dose rate value. This method is independent of the target organ. Studies conducted here used Monte Carlo particle transport codes to justify a new method of dose prescription in mice, that considers organ specific doses. Monte Carlo simulations were performed in the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) toolkit using a MOBY mouse whole-body phantom. The non-homogeneous phantom was comprised of 256x256x800 voxels of size 0.145x0.145x0.145 mm3. Differences of up to 20-30% in dose to soft-tissue target organs was demonstrated, and methods for alleviating these errors were suggested during whole body radiation of mice by utilizing organ specific and x-ray tube filter specific dose rates for all irradiations.</p><p>Monte Carlo analysis was used on 1 µm resolution CT images of a mouse femur and a mouse vertebra to calculate the dose gradients within the bone marrow (BM) compartment of mice based on different radiation beam qualities relevant to x-ray and isotope type irradiators. Results and findings indicated that soft x-ray beams (160 kV at 0.62 mm Cu HVL and 320 kV at 1 mm Cu HVL) lead to substantially higher dose to BM within close proximity to mineral bone (within about 60 µm) as compared to hard x-ray beams (320 kV at 4 mm Cu HVL) and isotope based gamma irradiators (137Cs). The average dose increases to the BM in the vertebra for these four aforementioned radiation beam qualities were found to be 31%, 17%, 8%, and 1%, respectively. Both in-vitro and in-vivo experimental studies confirmed these simulation results, demonstrating that the 320 kV, 1 mm Cu HVL beam caused statistically significant increased killing to the BM cells at 6 Gy dose levels in comparison to both the 320 kV, 4 mm Cu HVL and the 662 keV, 137Cs beams.</p> / Dissertation

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar in vitro, eficiência da radiografia convencional, e radiografia digital comparando-as à tomografia computadorizada no diagnóstico das reabsorções radiculares externas em diferentes localizações. Foram utilizados 6 dentes sendo, dois incisivos centrais direito e esquerdos, dois incisivos laterais direito esquerdos e dois caninos um direito e outro esquerdo, onde foram realizadas, cavidades simulando reabsorções externas de 0,5 mm de diâmetro nos terços cervical, médio e apical da superfície radicular, nas faces, vestibular, palatina, mesial e distal. Os dentes foram reposicionados no alvéolo do crânio seco, e esse revestido com uma camada de silicone com 4 mm de espessura, para simulação do tecido mole. Foram radiografados pela técnica convencional e digital e submetidos a exames de tomografia computadorizada volumétrica, sendo que as tomadas radiográficas foram observadas por três examinadores, que definiram a presença ou ausência das cavidades e sua localização. Os resultados mostraram que a radiografia convencional propiciou um percentual maior de reconhecimento do que a tomografia computadorizada, que por sua vez foi seguida da radiografia digital. O exame de tomografia computadorizada apresentou maior percentual de acertos quanto à localização com 65% das cavidades localizadas, seguidas das radiografias convencionais (56%) e por último as digitais com 51% das cavidades localizadas. Concluiu se que as radiografias convencionais são eficientes no reconhecimento das reabsorções radiculares, e a tomografias computadorizadas na precisão da localização. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the efficiency of conventional and digital radiography when compared to the computerized tomography (CT) on diagnose of external root resorptions in different root locations. It was used 6 upper teeth: 2 right and left central incisors, 2 right and left lateral incisors, and 2 right and left canines. Simulated external root resorption cavities of 0.5 mm diameter were made on the cervical, middle and apical thirds, on the buccal, palatal, mesial and distal faces. The teeth were replaced on the dried skull alveolus, covered with a 4 mm silicon layer to simulate the soft tissue and were conventional and digital radiographed. Then they were submitted to the volumetric computerized tomography. The exams were evaluated by 3 examiners that observed the presence and absence of the cavities and their location. The results showed that the conventional radiography allowed better recognition than the CT. The CT was followed by the digital radiograph and allowed higher number of recognitions when the location was considerate, with 65% of the cavities localized, followed by the conventional radiographs (56%) and the last was the digital radiographs with 51% of located cavities. We concluded that conventional radiographs are efficient for root resorption recognition and the CT on the placement precision.

Com intuito de avaliar o processo cognitivo cerebral e o desempenho de médicos veterinários especializados em radiologia, este estudo proporcionou, através de um sistema computacional, tarefas de questões radiológicas. Os 29 voluntários foram divididos por gênero: homens (n=13) e mulheres (n=16); e por tempo de especialidade: iniciantes (n=13), experientes (n=8) e seniores (n=8). Quatorze casos foram selecionados com diferentes níveis de dificuldade a partir de imagens radiográficas de cães e gatos e foram escaneadas e colocadas em um programa chamado Enscer®, adaptado para a realização deste estudo. Os casos eram divididos em três partes, nomeadas, história clínica, imagem radiográfica e decisão diagnóstica. Durante as etapas, foram realizados eletroencefalogramas dos voluntários, que resultaram em mapeamentos cerebrais. Além disso, foi feita avaliação das respostas corretas, incorretas e dos tempos utilizados para as tarefas. Através das avaliações estatísticas dos resultados foi possível concluir que radiologistas veterinários com maior tempo de especialidade foram estatisticamente mais rápidos nas tarefas e tiveram melhor desempenho diagnóstico; voluntários com maior tempo de especialidade ativaram áreas cerebrais diferentes dos menos experientes; o desempenho diagnóstico foi quantitativamente igual em voluntários de ambos os gêneros e o mapeamento cerebral do grupo masculino foi diferente do grupo feminino, mesmo com desempenho igual nas atividades / With intention to evaluate the cerebral cognitive process and the performance of medical veterinarians specialized in radiology, this study provided, through a computerized system, tasks of radiological questions. The 29 volunteers were divided by gender: man (n=13) and woman (n=16); and by time of experience: beginners (n=13), experienced (n=8) and seniors (n=8). Fourteen cases were selected with different levels of difficulty from radiographic images of dogs and cats and had been scanned and processed by a software called Enscer®, adapted for the accomplishment of this study. The cases were divided into three parts, namely, clinical history, radiographic image and diagnostic decision. During the stages the electroencephalography was carried through, which resulted in the cerebral mapping. Moreover, evaluation of the correct and incorrect answers and of the times used for the tasks was made. Through the statistical evaluations of the results it was possible to conclude that radiologists veterinarians with more time of experience had been statistically faster in the tasks and had had better diagnostic performance; volunteers with more time of experience had activated different cerebral areas than volunteer with less experience; the diagnostic performance was quantitatively equal in volunteers of both genders and the cerebral mapping of the masculine group was different of the feminine group, even with equal performance in the activities

O uso de códigos de simulação Monte Carlo em radiologia vem crescendo com o aparecimento de diferentes códigos de simulação, desenvolvidos especificamente para aplicações em radiologia, como, por exemplo, PENELOPE. Cada um desses códigos utiliza diferentes algoritmos para o transporte de partículas resultando em diferentes níveis de dificuldade de uso, acurácia nos resultados e desempenho nas simulações. O código de simulação Monte Carlo PENELOPE utiliza um algoritmo misto de transporte da radiação, definido por meio dos parâmetros de entrada da simulação. Normalmente utilizado para aplicações em feixes de altas energias, a influência desses parâmetros no transporte de partículas com o código PENELOPE ainda não foi completamente estabelecida para aplicações que utilizam feixes de radiodiagnóstico e geometrias delgadas. Especificamente em estudos de características dosimétricas de detectores de radiação que possuem espessuras delgadas, como câmaras de ionização, o tipo de algoritmo de transporte pode influenciar nos resultado das simulações. Neste trabalho, o estudo da influência dos parâmetros que controlam o algoritmo de transporte utilizado pelo código de simulação Monte Carlo PENELOPE em feixes de radiodiagnóstico e geometrias delgadas foi realizado através da simulação dos coeficientes de atenuação linear em diferentes materiais, espessuras e energias. A validação desse código nessa faixa de energia permitiu a determinação do fator de retroespalhamento para feixes polienergéticos, contribuindo para sua aplicação em radiodiagnóstico. / The use of Monte Carlo simulation in radiology has been growing with the appearance of different simulation codes that have been developed specifically for applications in radiology, as for example PENELOPE. Each of these codes use different algorithms for particle transport resulting in different levels of difficulty for its use as well as of accuracy and performance. The PENELOPE code uses a mixed algorithm for radiation transport that is defined by entrance parameters. Most of the applications of PENELOPE code have been performed with high energy beams, however the influence of the entrance parameters in the particle transport is not established for applications evolving radiodiagnostic beams and thin geometries. Specifically for the study of dosimetric characteristics of radiation detectors that have small thicknesses, as ionization chambers, the algorithm transport influences the results of the simulation. In this work, the study of the influence of entrance parameters on the transport algorithm used in PENELOPE Monte Carlo simulation code was performed by the simulation of the linear attenuation coefficients in different materials, thickness and energies used in radiodiagnostic. The validation of this code in such energy range allowed the determination of the backscatter factor for polienergetic beams, aiding its application in radiodianogsis.

O uso de códigos de simulação Monte Carlo em radiologia vem crescendo com o aparecimento de diferentes códigos de simulação, desenvolvidos especificamente para aplicações em radiologia, como, por exemplo, PENELOPE. Cada um desses códigos utiliza diferentes algoritmos para o transporte de partículas resultando em diferentes níveis de dificuldade de uso, acurácia nos resultados e desempenho nas simulações. O código de simulação Monte Carlo PENELOPE utiliza um algoritmo misto de transporte da radiação, definido por meio dos parâmetros de entrada da simulação. Normalmente utilizado para aplicações em feixes de altas energias, a influência desses parâmetros no transporte de partículas com o código PENELOPE ainda não foi completamente estabelecida para aplicações que utilizam feixes de radiodiagnóstico e geometrias delgadas. Especificamente em estudos de características dosimétricas de detectores de radiação que possuem espessuras delgadas, como câmaras de ionização, o tipo de algoritmo de transporte pode influenciar nos resultado das simulações. Neste trabalho, o estudo da influência dos parâmetros que controlam o algoritmo de transporte utilizado pelo código de simulação Monte Carlo PENELOPE em feixes de radiodiagnóstico e geometrias delgadas foi realizado através da simulação dos coeficientes de atenuação linear em diferentes materiais, espessuras e energias. A validação desse código nessa faixa de energia permitiu a determinação do fator de retroespalhamento para feixes polienergéticos, contribuindo para sua aplicação em radiodiagnóstico. / The use of Monte Carlo simulation in radiology has been growing with the appearance of different simulation codes that have been developed specifically for applications in radiology, as for example PENELOPE. Each of these codes use different algorithms for particle transport resulting in different levels of difficulty for its use as well as of accuracy and performance. The PENELOPE code uses a mixed algorithm for radiation transport that is defined by entrance parameters. Most of the applications of PENELOPE code have been performed with high energy beams, however the influence of the entrance parameters in the particle transport is not established for applications evolving radiodiagnostic beams and thin geometries. Specifically for the study of dosimetric characteristics of radiation detectors that have small thicknesses, as ionization chambers, the algorithm transport influences the results of the simulation. In this work, the study of the influence of entrance parameters on the transport algorithm used in PENELOPE Monte Carlo simulation code was performed by the simulation of the linear attenuation coefficients in different materials, thickness and energies used in radiodiagnostic. The validation of this code in such energy range allowed the determination of the backscatter factor for polienergetic beams, aiding its application in radiodianogsis.

O objetivo primordial em radiologia veterinária é a produção de radiografias com qualidade diagnóstica, em uma primeira tentativa. Esse objetivo deve atender a três propósitos: (1) diminuir a exposição à radiação do paciente e trabalhadores; (2) diminuir o custo do estudo para o cliente e (3) produzir dados diagnósticos para rápida interpretação e tratamento do paciente. Esse trabalho teve por objetivo a determinação das doses em cães submetidos a radiografias de tórax e abdômen utilizando a técnica da dosimetria termoluminescente (TL). As doses de radiação foram avaliadas com a utilização de dosímetros termoluminescentes de sulfato de cálcio dopado com disprósio (CaSO4:Dy) e fluoreto de lítio dopado com magnésio e titânio (LiF:Mg,Ti). Os resultados obtidos indicam que é extremamente importante a avaliação das doses de radiação envolvidas em procedimentos diagnósticos de radiologia veterinária, para a avaliação das doses nos animais e para ser usado como um parâmetro para a monitoração individual dos proprietários de animais, que auxiliam no posicionamento, e para a proteção dos trabalhadores ocupacionalmente expostos nas Clínicas de Radiologia Veterinária. / The primary goal in veterinary radiography is to produce radiographs of diagnostic quality on the first attempt. This goal serves three purposes: (1) to decrease radiation exposure to the patient and veterinary personnel; (2) to decrease the cost of the study for the client; and (3) to produce diagnostic data for rapid interpretation and treatment of the patient. This work aimed to determine the doses in dogs submitted to chest and abdomen Xrays using the technique of thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry. The radiation doses were assessed using thermoluminescent dosimeters of calcium sulphate doped with dysprosium (CaSO4:Dy) and lithium fluoride doped with magnesium and titanium (LiF:Mg,Ti). The obtained results indicate that is extremely important the assessment of radiation doses involved in veterinary diagnostic radiology procedures, to evaluate the delivered doses to the animals, to be used as a parameter in the individual monitoring of pets owners, who assist the animal positioning, and to protect occupationally exposed workers at the Veterinary Radiology Clinics.

O conhecimento da distribuição espectral da radiação X emitida por unidades de radiodiagnóstico fornece importantes informações, que podem ser aplicadas aos programas de Garantia de Qualidade e de Proteção Radiológica. Detectores que utilizam fotodiodos PIN de Si como ponta de prova vêm sendo utilizados nos últimos anos devido, principalmente, ao seu baixo custo e por trabalharem a temperatura ambiente, não precisando dos tanques de nitrogênio líquido necessários em detectores de Ge e Si(Li). Embora, a princípio, os fotodiodos PIN tenham uma pior resolução, quando comparada com os detectores de Ge, ela é suficientemente boa para a maior parte das aplicações em radiodiagnóstico. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de sistemas refrigerados termoelétricamente e de pré-amplificadores de baixo ruído têm feito com que os fotodiodos PIN cheguem a resoluções comparáveis às do Ge. Este trabalho visa estabelecer as propriedades de detectores constituídos por fotodiodos PIN de Si e desenvolver o processo de correção dos espectros brutos para a eficiência do detector e outros fatores pertinentes, a fim de se obter o espectro real emitido por equipamentos de radiodiagnóstico. Espectros de radiação de equipamentos de radiodiagnóstico obtidos experimentalmente foram comparados com espectros teóricos calculados a partir de um modelo semi-empírico. Além disso, foram obtidos espectros de radiação emitidos por unidades de mamografia, espalhados por um objeto simulador de mama. Como aplicação direta dos espectros medidos experimentalmente, foram desenvolvidas metodologias para a determinação da tensão aceleradora de tubos de Raios X (kVp), para fins de calibração de medidores de kVp, e da camada semi-redutora (CSR) dos feixes de interesse. / Knowledge of the spectral distribution of radiation emitted by radiodiagnostic units provides important information, which can be applied to the Quality Assurance and Radiological Protection programs. Detectors which utilize Silicon PIN Photodiodes have been increasingly used in recent years, due to their low cost and being worked with at room temperature, the liquid nitrogen containers used with Ge and Si(Li) detectors not being necessary. Although, initially, the PIN photodiodes have a poorer energy resolution, as compared with Ge detectors, it\'s good enough for most purposes. Moreover, the development of thermoelectrically cooled systems and low noise level pre-amplifiers have resulted in PIN photodiodes achieving comparable resolutions to Ge ones. This work seeks to establish the properties of detectors made with Silicon PIN photodiodes and to develop the correctional process of the raw specffa both for the efficiency of the detector and other relevant factors, with the aim of obtaining the true spectrum emitted by radiodiagnostic equipment. The radiation spectra of radiodiagnostic equipment experimentally obtained were compared with theoretical spectra calculated from a semi-empirical model. Furthermore, mammography x-ray spectra scattered by a breast simulator were obtained. As a direct application of these experimentally measured spectra, methodologies were developed to determine the peak kilovoltage (kvp) of X-Ray tubes, to be able to calibrate kVp meters, and the half-value layer (HW) of the beams of interest.

Neste trabalho foram realizadas medidas de espalhamento Compton em tecidos mamários normais e neoplásicos (benignos e malignos) em experimentos usando radiação síncrotron e tubo de raios X, com o objetivo de determinar as densidades eletrônicas destes tecidos. As energias e ângulos de espalhamento utilizados foram respectivamente 14,0 keV e 150º (x = 1,09 Å-1) para as medidas usando radiação síncrotron e 17,44 e 90º (x = 0,99Å-1) para as medidas usando um tubo de raios X. Os resultados de densidades eletrônicas obtidos foram comparados com dados experimentais e teóricos previamente publicados, mostrando considerável concordância entre eles (diferenças menores que 5%). Comparações estatísticas foram realizadas nas distribuições obtidas, verificando-se que os tecidos normais adiposos se diferenciam de todos outros tipos de tecidos investigados (P<0,001). Também se observou a tendência de as neoplasias malignas apresentarem maior densidade eletrônica que os tecidos normais fibrosos e neoplasias benignas, fato relacionado às características histológicas e metabólicas de seu crescimento. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que é possível utilizar esta técnica para caracterizar e diferenciar os tipos de tecidos, apontando a possibilidade de sua utilização como ferramenta complementar ao diagnóstico do câncer de mama. / In this work we have been measured Compton scattering from normal and neoplastic (benign and malignant) in experiments using synchrotron radiation and X-rays tube, in order to determine of electronic densities of these tissues. The energies and scattering angles used were respectively 14,0 keV and 150º (x = 1,09 Å-1) for the measurements using synchrotron radiation and 17,44 and 90º (x = 0,99Å-1) for the measurements using a X-ray tube. The results of electronic densities obtained were compared with experimental and theoretical data published previously, showing considerable agreement among them (differences smaller than 5%). Statistical comparisons were accomplished in the obtained distributions, showing that the adipose normal tissue differ of all other types of tissues (P<0.001). Moreover, our results show a tendency of the malignant neoplasias to have an elevated electronic density higher than the fibrous normal tissues and benign neoplasias, fact related to histological and metabolic characteristics of its growth. The obtained results suggest that it is possible to use this technique to characterize and to differentiate the breast tissues, pointing the possibility of its use as complementary tool to the diagnosis of the breast cancer.