title: Evaluation of new image processing conditions for digital mammograms from Fuji computed radiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A new processing parameter (T-type parameter) setting for gray scale was developed to improve the image quality of digital mammograms. To clarify the usefulness of this parameter setting, we have evaluated the image quality of digital mammograms (hard copy images) processed with this parameter, and compared it with S/F mammography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mammograms were made under the same radiographic conditions by the S/F and FCR systems (type 1, S/F; type 2 and 3, FCR with new T-type parameters; type 4 and 5, FCR with conventional parameters). A total of 49 images from 10 cases was selected for evaluation testing. Evaluation items were the contrast visibility of mammary glands and adipose tissues together with their granularity and sharpness. Eleven medical doctors participated in evaluating the images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FCR hard copy images processed with the T-type parameter settings were significantly preferred over the conventional S/F images for the contrast visibility of mammary glands and adipose tissue. As for the other items (except for granularity), the FCR hard copy images processed with the T-type parameter settings were subjectively evaluated as slightly better than or equal to the S/F images. In contrast, the conventional S/F images were significantly preferred over the FCR hard copy images processed with the conventional parameter settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The image quality of FCR hard copy images processed with the T-type parameter settings was preferred over that of conventional S/F images as evaluated by medical doctors who specialized in mammography interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization, Nagoya Medical Center, Japan. h.kano@nnh.hosp.go.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kano
authors.forename: Tokiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Mikinao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oiwa
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishigaki
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*