Perceptibility of defects in an aluminum test object: a comparison of the RVG-S and first generation VIXA systems with and without added niobium filtration.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the first generation VIXA (Gendex, Milan, Italy) and the RVG-S (Trophy Radiologie, Vincennes, France) for detection of defects in an aluminium test object at various exposures both with and without added niobium filtration.


METHODS
Images of a 7 mm aluminium test object with defects ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mm with standardized projection geometry. Seven dentists acted as observers. Perceptibility curves were developed for both sensors under the various filtration conditions and exposures.


RESULTS
At optimum exposures both the VIXA and the RVG-S permitted the same number of defects to be observed. The optimum exposures were similar for the two systems, but the dynamic range was greater for the RVG-S. Addition of niobium filtration did not appreciably alter the radiation dose required to perceive a given number of defects using either system.


CONCLUSIONS
The two systems performed equally at optimum exposure when the dose is approximately the same irrespective of the presence or absence of niobium filtration. Beyond the optimal level, the RVG-S outperformed the VIXA system.
Wakoh
M
M
Health Sciences Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Farman
A G
AG
Scarfe
W C
WC
Kelly
M S
MS
Kuroyanagi
K
K
D000535:Aluminum; D005374:Filtration; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016014:Linear Models; D009556:Niobium; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital
D009556:Niobium; D000535:Aluminum