Stephan Bender1, Kai Lederle, Christel Weiss, Stefan O Schoenberg, Gerald Weisser. 1. Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany. mail.stephan.bender@googlemail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Vendors of medical displays promise a better diagnostic performance using 10- or 11-bit instead of 8-bit monochrome displays. We measured the gain of "Just Noticeable Difference" (JND) steps using high grayscale resolutions and evaluated the preference of radiologists regarding different aspects of image quality. METHODS: The amount of JND steps was measured on a display using 8-, 10- and 11-bit Look Up Tables (LUT). Radiological images were presented simultaneously using an 8-bit and an 11-bit LUT, radiologists where asked to determine the better image presentation regarding quality parameters like sharpness, contrast and detectability of details. RESULTS: The 10-bit technology realized more than twice the number of JND steps compared to an 8-bit LUT, an 11-bit LUT presented only few additional JND steps. The radiologists did not attest the higher grayscale resolution a better image quality, they regarded the 8-bit technology to show a better sharpness and contrast, although this had no impact on the detectability of details. CONCLUSIONS: Our measurements confirmed that the higher grayscale resolution results in a more complete visualization of image information. But radiologists partially judged this as a lack of sharpness and contrast and generally preferred the 8-bit display.
OBJECTIVES: Vendors of medical displays promise a better diagnostic performance using 10- or 11-bit instead of 8-bit monochrome displays. We measured the gain of "Just Noticeable Difference" (JND) steps using high grayscale resolutions and evaluated the preference of radiologists regarding different aspects of image quality. METHODS: The amount of JND steps was measured on a display using 8-, 10- and 11-bit Look Up Tables (LUT). Radiological images were presented simultaneously using an 8-bit and an 11-bit LUT, radiologists where asked to determine the better image presentation regarding quality parameters like sharpness, contrast and detectability of details. RESULTS: The 10-bit technology realized more than twice the number of JND steps compared to an 8-bit LUT, an 11-bit LUT presented only few additional JND steps. The radiologists did not attest the higher grayscale resolution a better image quality, they regarded the 8-bit technology to show a better sharpness and contrast, although this had no impact on the detectability of details. CONCLUSIONS: Our measurements confirmed that the higher grayscale resolution results in a more complete visualization of image information. But radiologists partially judged this as a lack of sharpness and contrast and generally preferred the 8-bit display.
Authors: Daniel Pinto Dos Santos; Jonas Welter; Tilman Emrich; Florian Jungmann; Evelyn Dappa; Peter Mildenberger; Roman Kloeckner Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2017-06-28 Impact factor: 5.315