A comparison of the threshold detail detectability of a screen-film combination and computed radiology under conditions relevant to high-kVp chest radiography

Abstract

There is conflicting evidence regarding the viability of photostimulable phosphor computed radiology (CR) when used with high X-ray beam energies. In this study a standard screen-film combination was compared with CR using identical exposure conditions, which simulated those of a high-energy chest examination. The comparison was made using a psychophysical technique in which the threshold contrast detail detectability is assessed by human observers. Threshold contrast determination is an efficient way with which to assess the overall image quality. The CR images were processed and displayed using two independent image processing algorithms and hard-copy formats. The results showed, at the 5% level of statistical significance, that there was no difference in the overall image quality between any of the modalities being compared. It may be concluded therefore that CR is a potentially viable option for use in high-energy radiography of the chest.