title: Observer study involving laser-digitized versus CCD-digitized images.
abstract: We compared laser- and CCD-digitized images for perceived image quality differences in a radiologist-observer study. Films of 50 two- and three-view studies (ankles, chests, c-spines, shoulders) were digitized on calibrated laser (Kodak Lumisys 75) and CCD (VIDAR SIERRA Plus) digitizers. Six radiologists independently compared digitized images on twin high-resolution monochrome monitors. Matching images were randomly presented on left/right monitors to support blinded comparisons. Observers scored image quality (for several diagnostic criteria) as "no different," left or right image "slightly" or "significantly" different. Of 7324 responses, 77.8% scored "no different" and 21.9% "slightly different" (5.9% favoring CCD, 16.0% favoring laser). In only 0.3% did observers score "significantly different." The Lumisys laser images were assessed as only slightly better than VIDAR SIERRA CCD images. Digitizer equipment-selection decisions can, therefore, be considered on the basis of price, reliability, support, ease-of-use, etc., rather than solely on the basis of image quality.
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. clarkk@mir.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muka
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Pilgram
authors.forename: G James
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Blaine
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D015588:Observer Variation; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging