Image Intensifier Based Digital Chest Radiography

Abstract

Contrast- and edge-enhanced digital monitor images from an image intensifier system for chest radiography were compared to conventional radiograms using visual grading analysis. Eleven observers graded the visibility of rounded opacities, the carinal region, fine line structures, and also compared the overall quality of images from 20 patients. The results showed significantly better visibility on the digital monitor for the rounded opacities and the mediastinum compared to the conventional radiograms. The overall quality of the digital images was also considered better. However, the digital images showed significantly inferior visibility for the line structures in comparison with the conventional radiograms. Our study indicates that the present contrast- and edge-enhanced digital images, with a spatial resolution of 1 024 × 1024 pixels and a contrast resolution of 8 bits, are superior to conventional radiograms for the visualization of mediastinal anatomy and rounded opacities. The clinical importance of the inferior visibility of fine line structures is not clear.

Keywords

Radiography,digital —,comparative studies thorax radiography

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Angelhed

J. E.

Månsson

L. G.

Kheddache

: Optimization and evaluation of an image intensifier. TV system for digital chest imaging. In: Image capture, formatting and display, p. 159. SPIE Proc. Med. Imaging V, San José 1991.

Austin

J. H.

Tomney

B. M.

Goldsmith

L. S.

: Missed bronchogenic carcinoma. Radiographic findings in 27 patients with a potentially resectable lesion evident in retrospect. Radiology 182 (1992), 115.

Dobbins

J. T.

Rice

J. J.

Beam

C. A.

Ravin

C. E.

: Threshold perception performance with computed and screen-film radiography. Implications for chest radiography. Radiology 183 (1992), 179.

Dölken

Krahe

Landwehr

Lackner

: Digital image intensifier radiography and film screen systems. Spatial resolution, contrast detail diagrams, dose measurements and detectability of pulmonary nodules. In: CAR'89, p. 115. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1989.

Dwyer

S. J.

Templeton

A. W.

: An image intensifier digital radiography system, p. 223. Proc. Chest Imaging Conf., Madison 1987.

Foley

W. D.

Goodman

L. R.

Wilson

C. R.

: The effect of varying pixel size and image processing on the detection of interstitial lung disease. In: Proc. Chest Imaging Conf. 1987, p. 113. Edited by Peppier

W. W.

Alta

A. A.

. Medical Physics Publ. Co., Madison 1988.

Forrest

J. V.

Friedman

P. J.

: Radiologic errors in patients with lung cancer. West J. Med. 134 (1981), 485.

Goldmeier

: Limits of visibility of bronchogenic carcinoma. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 91 (1965), 232.

Kheddache

Månsson

L. G.

Angelhed

J. E.

Denbratt

Gottfridsson

Schlossman

: Effects of optimization and image processing in digital chest radiography. An ROC study with an anthropomorphic phantom. Eur. J. Radiol. 13 (1991), 143.

10.

Kheddache

Månsson

L. G.

Angelhed

J. E.

Denbratt

Gottfridsson

Schlossman

: Digital chest radiography. Should monitor images be presented in negative or positive mode? Eur. J. Radiol. 13 (1991), 151.

11.

Kheddache

Schlossman

Tylén

: Radiographic reporting directly from the TV monitor of a digital chest radiography system. Eur. J. Radiol. 13 (1991), 72.

12.

Leitz

W. K.

Månsson

L. G.

Hedberg-Vikström

B. R. K.

Kheddache

: In search of optimum chest radiography techniques. Br. J. Radiol. 66 (1993), 314.

13.

MacMahon

Vyborny

Metz

C. E.

Doi

Sabeti

Solomon

S. L.

: Digital radiography of subtle pulmonary abnormalities. An ROC study of the effect of pixel size on observer performance. Radiology 158 (1986), 21.

14.

Manninen

Rytkönen

Soimakallio

Terho

E. O.

Hentunen

: Large-screen image intensifier photofluorography compared with full size screen-film technique in chest radiography. Acta Radiol. 26 (1985), 525.

15.

Månsson

L. G.

Kheddache

Börjesson

Mattsson

Schlossman

: Digital chest radiography with a large image intensifier. An ROC study with an anthropomorphic phantom. Eur. J. Radiol. 9 (1989), 208.

16.

Månsson

L. G.

Kheddache

Schlossman

: Digital chest radiography with a large image intensifier. Evaluation of diagnostic performance and patient exposure. Acta Radiol. 30 (1989), 337.

17.

Metz

C. E.

: Basic principles in ROC analysis. Semin. Nucl. Med. 8 (1978), 283.

18.

Oestmann

J. W.

Kushner

D. C.

Bourgouin

P. M.

Llewellyn

H. J.

Mockbee

B. W.

Greene

: Subtle lung cancers. Impact of edge enhancement and gray scale reversal on detection with digitized chest radiographs. Radiology 167 (1988), 657.

19.

Reger

R. B.

Morgan

W. K. C.

: On the factors influencing consistency in the radiologic diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 102 (1970), 905.

20.

Swets

J. A.

Pickett

R. M.

: Evaluation of diagnostic systems. Methods from signal detection theory. Academic Press, New York 1982.

21.

Templeton

A. W.

Dwyer

S. J.

Cox

G. G.

: A digital radiology imaging system. Description and clinical evaluation. AJR 149 (1987), 847.

22.

Vuchic

J. J.

Goodenough

D. J.

Lewicki

A. M.

Briefel

Weaver

K. E.

: Use of anatomical criteria in screen-film selection for portable chest X-ray procedures. In: Optimization of chest radiography. BRH Publication, Rockville 1980. DHHS Publ. (FDA) 80–8124, 237, Washington 1980.

23.

Zwicker

Langer

Scholz

: Digital skeletal radiography with a high resolution image intensifier system. In: CAR'89, p. 120. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1989.