Digital radiography with large-area flat-panel detectors.
Large-area flat-panel detectors with active readout mechanisms have been on the market for the past 2 years. This article describes different detector technologies. An important distinction is made between detectors with direct and those with indirect conversion of X-rays into electrical charges. Detectors with indirect conversion are built with unstructured or structured scintillators, the latter resulting in less lateral diffusion of emitted light. Some important qualities of flat-panel detectors are discussed. The first phantom and clinical studies published report an image quality at least comparable to that of screen-film systems and a potential for dose reduction. The available studies are summarised in this article.
Kotter
E
E
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Freiburg University Hospital, Hugstetterstrasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. eko@mrs1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Langer
M
M
D006801:Humans; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens