Diagnostic accuracy of direct digital dental radiography for the detection of periapical bone lesions. II. Effects on diagnostic accuracy after application of image processing.
OBJECTIVE
The diagnostic accuracy of direct digital radiography for the detection of small experimentally made periapical lesions was evaluated. A comparison was made between original digital images and images processed with different enhancement facilities of the digital system.


METHODS
Seven observers assessed the digital images in original mode and after individual image treatment. The diagnostic accuracy was calculated. The processing functions used by the observers were recorded, and the effect of processing was evaluated.


RESULTS
The overall diagnostic accuracy was not different for the two image modes. Neither were the individual results of the observers different. The image processing was most effective when alterings of contrast and brightness were used. More complicated processing procedures had less effect on the diagnostic accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
Image processing of direct digital images of high quality has a limited effect on the diagnostic accuracy. Basic processing functions, that is, alterings of contrast and brightness, were preferred for the detection of periapical lesions.
Kullendorff
B
B
Department of Oral Radiology, Centre of Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden.
Nilsson
M
M
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012372:ROC Curve; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric