H Precht1, J Hansson2, C Outzen3, P Hogg4, A Tingberg5. 1. Conrad Research Programme, University College Lillebelt, Niels Bohrs Alle 1, 5230, Odense M, Denmark; Medical Research Department, Odense University Hospital, Baagøes Àlle 15, 5700, Svendborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Winsløwsparken, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. Electronic address: hepr@ucl.dk. 2. Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden. 3. Conrad Research Programme, University College Lillebelt, Niels Bohrs Alle 1, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. 4. School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Manchester, UK. 5. Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden; Skåne University Hospital, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Radiographers routinely undertake many initiatives to balance image quality with radiation dose (optimisation). For optimisation studies to be successful image quality needs to be carefully evaluated. Purpose was to 1) discuss the strengths and limitations of a Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) method for image quality evaluation and 2) to outline the method from a radiographer's perspective. METHODS: A possible method for investigating and discussing the relationship between radiographic image quality parameters and the interpretation and perception of X-ray images is the VGA method. VGA has a number of advantages such as being low cost and a detailed image quality assessment, although it is limited to ensure the images convey the relevant clinical information and relate the task based radiography. RESULTS: Comparing the experience of using VGA and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) it is obviously that less papers are published on VGA (Pubmed n=1.384) compared to ROC (Pubmed n=122.686). Hereby the scientific experience of the VGA method is limited compared to the use of ROC. VGA is, however, a much newer method and it is slowly gaining more and more attention. CONCLUSION: The success of VGA requires a number of steps to be completed, such as defining the VGA criteria, choosing the VGA method (absolute or relative), including observers, finding the best image display platforms, training observers and selecting the best statistical method for the study purpose should be thoroughly considered. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Detailed evaluation of image quality for optimisation studies related to technical definition of image quality.
INTRODUCTION: Radiographers routinely undertake many initiatives to balance image quality with radiation dose (optimisation). For optimisation studies to be successful image quality needs to be carefully evaluated. Purpose was to 1) discuss the strengths and limitations of a Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) method for image quality evaluation and 2) to outline the method from a radiographer's perspective. METHODS: A possible method for investigating and discussing the relationship between radiographic image quality parameters and the interpretation and perception of X-ray images is the VGA method. VGA has a number of advantages such as being low cost and a detailed image quality assessment, although it is limited to ensure the images convey the relevant clinical information and relate the task based radiography. RESULTS: Comparing the experience of using VGA and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) it is obviously that less papers are published on VGA (Pubmed n=1.384) compared to ROC (Pubmed n=122.686). Hereby the scientific experience of the VGA method is limited compared to the use of ROC. VGA is, however, a much newer method and it is slowly gaining more and more attention. CONCLUSION: The success of VGA requires a number of steps to be completed, such as defining the VGA criteria, choosing the VGA method (absolute or relative), including observers, finding the best image display platforms, training observers and selecting the best statistical method for the study purpose should be thoroughly considered. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Detailed evaluation of image quality for optimisation studies related to technical definition of image quality.
Authors: Malene Bisgaard; Fintan J McEvoy; Dorte Hald Nielsen; Clara Allberg; Anna V Müller; Signe Timm; Signe N Meyer; Line Marie Johansen; Stine Pedersen; Helle Precht Journal: Front Vet Sci Date: 2021-12-14
Authors: C L Eccles; G Adair Smith; L Bower; S Hafeez; T Herbert; A Hunt; H A McNair; Mercy Ofuya; Uwe Oelfke; Simeon Nill; R A Huddart Journal: Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol Date: 2019-12-16