[Comparison of different review displays with respect to the detection of low-contrast details in digital radiographs].
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of low-contrast details in digital radiographs on different review displays (RD).


METHODS
20" flat screen panels (RD1: standard color LCD-TFT, RD2: monochrome LCD-TFT for radiological reading, RD1*: RD1 with optional image inversion; 205 cd/m (2) luminance, respectively) were evaluated. At 30 lx ambient lighting, 10 radiologists gradually increased the contrast (constant steps) for both a homogeneous picture and a cutout of a thorax radiography of n = 480 simulated nodules until they became recognizable.


RESULTS
In the case of bright nodules on an anthropomorphic background, the use of image inversion produced significantly better results. No other significant differences were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Provided that the working environment is not bright, the results suggest that low-cost RD can be used for the recognition of low-contrast details in radiographies of the chest. Further studies including more display models are necessary. Among different ambient lighting and luminance settings, these studies should include a closer analysis of the special features of digital systems such as brightness/contrast adaptation, picture enlargement (zoom shot), and image inversion.
Wirth
S
S
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Stefan.Wirth@med.uni-muenchen.de
Schöfer
H
H
Kotsianos-Hermle
D
D
Körner
M
M
Lucke
A
A
Pfeifer
K-J
KJ
Reiser
M
M
Treitl
M
M
D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens