[Assessment of clinical image quality in feline chest radiography with a needle-image plate (NIP) storage phosphor system--an approach to the evaluation of image quality in neonatal radiography].
OBJECTIVE
Is the image quality of thoracic radiographs of cats obtained with a needle-based storage phosphor (NIP) system superior to conventional (PIP) storage phosphor radiography? Is it possible to decrease the mAs by 50 % with the NIP system without significant loss of information?


METHODS
From each of the 20 animals, three lateral radiographs were acquired. The assessment of the exposure level was based on the generated lgM-values. Images were acquired 1. with the NIP system and exposure settings equivalent to an lgM of 1.9, 2. with the PIP system and identical settings, and 3. with the NIP system and 50 % of the mAs. Six blinded readers used a 5-step scale to assess the reproducibility of five anatomical structures and image noise sensation. Data were analysed using Visual Grading Characteristics Analysis (VGC).


RESULTS
While applying identical exposure values the NIP system for all features revealed superior ratings to those of the PIP system (AUC (VGC) values ranged from 0.81 for "cardiac silhouette" to 0.92 for "trachea"). Even when reducing mAs by 50 % in the NIP images all features were rated better compared with the PIP images and original settings (AUC (VGC) values ranged from 0.60 for "cardiac silhouette" to 0.74 for "trachea" and "caudal thoracic field").


CONCLUSIONS
The NIP system demonstrates clearly better image quality compared to the reference PIP system. A dose reduction of 50 % seems to be possible without relevant detraction from image quality. The results obtained in the animal model are valid for simulating conditions in neonatal radiological practise.
Ludewig
E
E
Klinik für Kleintiere, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig. ludewig@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de
Hirsch
W
W
Bosch
B
B
Gäbler
K
K
Sorge
I
I
Succow
D
D
Werrmann
A
A
Gosch
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D016477:Artifacts; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000662:veterinary*; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens / Q000662:veterinary*