Comparison of computed radiography and conventional radiography in detection of small volume pneumoperitoneum.
The role of digital imaging is increasing as these systems are becoming more affordable and accessible. Advantages of computed radiography compared with conventional film/screen combinations include improved contrast resolution and postprocessing capabilities. Computed radiography's spatial resolution is inferior to conventional radiography; however, this limitation is considered clinically insignificant. This study prospectively compared digital imaging and conventional radiography in detecting small volume pneumoperitoneum. Twenty cadaver dogs (15-30 kg) were injected with 0.25, 0.25, and 0.5 ml for 1 ml total of air intra-abdominally, and radiographed sequentially using computed and conventional radiographic technologies. Three radiologists independently evaluated the images, and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis compared the two imaging modalities. There was no statistical difference between computed and conventional radiography in detecting free abdominal air, but overall computed radiography was relatively more sensitive based on ROC analysis. Computed radiographic images consistently and significantly demonstrated a minimal amount of 0.5 ml of free air based on ROC analysis. However, no minimal air amount was consistently or significantly detected with conventional film. Readers were more likely to detect free air on lateral computed images than the other projections, with no significant increased sensitivity between film/screen projections. Further studies are indicated to determine the differences or lack thereof between various digital imaging systems and conventional film/screen systems.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Medical Center, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, PO Box 100102, Gainesville, FL 32610-0102, USA. amarolf@colostate.edu
Angela
A
Marolf
Margaret
M
Blaik
Norman
N
Ackerman
Elizabeth
E
Watson
Nicole
N
Gibson
Margret
M
Thompson
D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D012372:ROC Curve; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens