title: Image quality of digital chest X-rays: wet versus dry laser printers.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the image quality of digital chest x-rays (Thoravision) obtained with 2 "wet" laser imagers of different matrix sizes and a "dry" system. Fifty chest x-rays in 2 planes were printed out in normal (100%) and reduced (61%) format using 3 different systems: 2 "wet" laser imagers (Agfa Matrix LR 3300, 4256 x 5174 pixels, 315 dpi; Agfa Scopix LR 5200, 8512 x 10348 pixels, 630 dpi), and one "dry" system (Agfa Drystar 3000,4352 x 5295 pixels, 330 dpi). All tests yielded normal findings. Anonymous images were evaluated by 4 independent reviewers on record forms rating the detectability of predefined anatomic structures. When the image quality of diagnosis-relevant, anatomic structures was evaluated on digital chest x-rays reproduced in normal and reduced format, the wet laser imagers did not show significant advantages over the dry system, Agfa Drystar 3000. The Agfa Drystar 3000 system is a feasible alternative for reproducing digital images, particularly for decentralized archives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Cologne Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zähringer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wassmer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krug
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winnekendonk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gossmann
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lackner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008875:Middle Aged; D011327:Printing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011786:Quality Control; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000295:instrumentation*