Analysis of image quality in digital chest imaging.
An evaluation of the image quality of an amorphous silicon flat-panel detector system and a computed radiology system compared with a screen-film system was performed by means of contrast-detail phantom images. Hard and soft copy images were evaluated. Although patient dose at clinical settings was strongly decreased with the amorphous silicon system, the low-contrast visibility with this system was still significantly better than with the screen-film system. For the computed radiology system, low-contrast visibility was comparable to the screen-film system. Best results were obtained by soft copy reading at full resolution with adaptation of contrast and brightness. Changing tube voltage (102-133 kV), or additional filtration, did not significantly affect image quality. However, low-contrast visibility improved significantly with increasing exposure. It was clearly demonstrated that, in chest imaging, the amorphous silicon system has superior imaging characteristics compared to the screen-film and the computed radiology system.
De Hauwere
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Department of Medical Physics and Radiation Protection, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. an.dehauwere@UGent.be
Bacher
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K
Smeets
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P
Verstraete
K
K
Thierens
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H
D002138:Calibration; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011786:Quality Control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D011871:Radiology / Q000379:methods; D011874:Radiometry; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens
D003287:Contrast Media; D012825:Silicon