title: Evaluation of a noise reduction procedure for chest radiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of noise reduction procedure (NRP), a function in the new image processing for chest radiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  A CXDI-50G Portable Digital Radiography System (Canon) was used for X-ray detection. Image noise was analyzed with a noise power spectrum (NPS) and a burger phantom was used for evaluation of density resolution. The usefulness of NRP was evaluated by chest phantom images and clinical chest radiography. We employed the Bureau of Radiological Health Method for scoring chest images while carrying out our observations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NPS through the use of NRP was improved compared with conventional image processing (CIP). The results in image quality showed high-density resolution through the use of NRP, so that chest radiography examination can be performed with a low dose of radiation. Scores were significantly higher than for CIP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, use of NRP led to a high evaluation in these so we are able to confirm the usefulness of NRP for clinical chest radiography.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Radiology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryohei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Radiology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Radiology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kodani
authors.affiliation: †Division of Radiology, Matsue City Hospital, Matsue 690-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanasaki
authors.affiliation: ‡Division of Internal Medicine, Tottori Central Prefectural Hospital, Tottori 680-0901, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suyama
authors.affiliation: §Division of Medical Oncology and Molecular Respirology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: §Division of Medical Oncology and Molecular Respirology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamoto
authors.affiliation: §Division of Medical Oncology and Molecular Respirology, Tottori University Hospital, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukuoka
keywords: chest radiography; image processing; noise power spectrum; noise reduction procedure; observation