Psychophysical analysis of monitor display functions affecting observer diagnostic performance of CT image on liquid crystal display monitors.

The aim of the present study was to propose suitable display functions for CT image representation on liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors by analyzing the characteristics of the monitor's typical display functions using psychophysical analysis. The luminance of the LCD monitor was adjusted to a maximum of 275 cd/m2 and 480 cd/m2. Three types of postcalibrated display functions (i.e., GSDF, CIELAB, and Exponential gamma 2.2) were evaluated. Luminance calculation of a new grayscale test pattern (NGTP) was done for the conversion of the digital driving level (DDL) into the CT value. The psychophysical gradient delta of display functions for the CT value was evaluated and compared via statistical analysis. The delta value of GSDF and CIE decreased exponentially; however, the delta value of Exponential gamma 2.2 showed a convex curve with a peak at a specific point. There was a statistically significant difference among the delta values of the three types of display functions on the 480 cd/m2 maximum via Kruskal Wallis test (P<0.001). The GSDF was suitable for observation of abdominal and lung CT images; however, the display function combined the Exponential gamma 2.2 and the GSDF functions and was ideal for observation of brain CT images by psychophysical analysis.