[Comparison of digital selenium radiography with an analog screen-film system in the diagnostic process of pneumoconiosis according to ILO classification].
Comparison of digital selenium radiography with an analog screen-film system in the diagnostic process of pneumoconiosis according to ILO classification.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of digital selenium radiography in patients with pneumoconiosis. For this purpose chest x-rays by digital selenium radiography and analog screen-film system were compared according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis.


METHODS
After approval of the study by the local ethic commission and the Federal German Office for Radiation Protection 50 patients were subjected to x-rays by digital selenium radiography (Thoravision; Philips Medical Systems, Hamburg, Germany) and analog screen-film system of the same day within the scope of an industrial medicine preventive checkup. Four investigators rated the chest x-rays according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis.


RESULTS
The findings demonstrated by chest x-rays according to ILO classification were rated similar by digital selenium radiography and analog screen film systems. Image quality of the digital pictures was rated significantly better.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of digital selenium radiography in evaluating chest x-rays according to the ILO classification does not result in over- or underestimation of pulmonary pathologies. Hence, in the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, digital selenium radiography can replace the tested analog screen-film system.
Zähringer
M
M
Institut und Poliklinik für Radiologische Diagnostik der Universität zu Köln, Germany. markus.zaehringer@uni-koeln.de
Piekarski
C
C
Saupe
M
M
Braun
W
W
Winnekendonk
G
G
Gossmann
A
A
Krüger
K
K
Krug
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012643:Selenium; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens
D012643:Selenium