Observer evaluation of scatter subtraction for digital portable chest radiographs.
OBJECTIVE
The authors compared standard digital portable chest radiographs (DPCXR) to scatter-subtracted DPCXR:


METHODS
Thirty DPCXR were obtained using a photostimulable phosphor digital imaging system and a posterior beam stop (PBS) technique that allowed measurement of the scatter component of the DPCXR: The scatter component was subtracted from the clinical image to form a scatter-subtracted image. Six observers recorded preference for the standard image or scatter-subtracted image for identifying five radiographic landmarks and for image quality.


RESULTS
A statistically significant preference was demonstrated for the scatter-subtracted images and for viewing the tracheo-bronchial tree, right paratracheal stripe, vertebral column, and support apparatus position. For unprocessed images, there was a statistically significant preference for viewing the pulmonary vasculature. No statistically significant preference was demonstrated for overall image quality.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that PBS scatter subtraction holds promise for improving visualization of structures in high-scatter regions of chest radiographs.
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
J A
JA
Baker
C E
CE
Floyd
J Y
JY
Lo
C E
CE
Ravin
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013382:Subtraction Technique / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data