H G Chotas1, C E Ravin. 1. Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A widely used digital radiography system based on a photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) detector was analyzed with regard to radiographic contrast changes that result from the adjustment of detector latitude (x-ray sensitivity range) in the normal processing of chest images. METHODS: Images of an acrylic step wedge were acquired using the digital system in a mode that permitted direct control of effective detector latitude. The images were post-processed in conditions duplicating those used for portable chest examinations, and contrast was measured. RESULTS: Increases in effective detector latitude provided only marginal radiographic contrast gains in the subdiaphragm-equivalent areas of the laser-printed digital film image, while causing large reductions in radiographic contrast in the lung-equivalent region. CONCLUSION: Detector latitude is an important variable that should be monitored or controlled in investigations that compare reader performance using conventional and digital systems.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A widely used digital radiography system based on a photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) detector was analyzed with regard to radiographic contrast changes that result from the adjustment of detector latitude (x-ray sensitivity range) in the normal processing of chest images. METHODS: Images of an acrylic step wedge were acquired using the digital system in a mode that permitted direct control of effective detector latitude. The images were post-processed in conditions duplicating those used for portable chest examinations, and contrast was measured. RESULTS: Increases in effective detector latitude provided only marginal radiographic contrast gains in the subdiaphragm-equivalent areas of the laser-printed digital film image, while causing large reductions in radiographic contrast in the lung-equivalent region. CONCLUSION: Detector latitude is an important variable that should be monitored or controlled in investigations that compare reader performance using conventional and digital systems.
Authors: S Jeff Shepard; Jihong Wang; Michael Flynn; Eric Gingold; Lee Goldman; Kerry Krugh; David L Leong; Eugene Mah; Kent Ogden; Donald Peck; Ehsan Samei; Jihong Wang; Charles E Willis Journal: Med Phys Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 4.071