  We present a novel method for characterizing mammographic findings using
spectral imaging without the use of contrast agent. Within a statistical
framework, suspicious findings are analyzed to determine if they are likely to
be benign cystic lesions or malignant tissue. To evaluate the method, we have
designed a phantom where combinations of different tissue types are realized by
decomposition into the material bases aluminum and polyethylene. The results
indicate that the lesion size limit for reliable characterization is below 10
mm diameter, when quantum noise is the only considered source of uncertainty.
Furthermore, preliminary results using clinical images are encouraging, but
allow no conclusions with significance.
