Abstract
Digital radiography is widely seen to be forgiving of poor exposure technique and to provide consistent high quality diagnostic images. Optimal quality images are however not universal; sub-optimal images are encountered. Evaluators on hip dysplasia schemes encounter images from multiple practices produced on equipment from multiple manufacturers. For images submitted to the Danish Kennel Club for hip dysplasia screening, a range of quality is seen and the evaluators are of the impression that variations in image quality area associated with particular equipment. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that there is an association between image quality in digital radiography and the manufacturer of the detector equipment, and to demonstrate the applicability of visual grading analysis (VGA) for image quality evaluation in veterinary practice. Data from 16,360 digital images submitted to the Danish Kennel Club were used to generate the hypothesis that there is an association between detector manufacturer and image quality and to create groups for VGA. Image quality in a subset of 90 images randomly chosen from 6 manufacturers to represent high and low quality images, was characterized using VGA and the results used to test for an association between image quality and system manufacturer. The range of possible scores in the VGA was −2 to +2 (higher scores are better). The range of the VGA scores for the images in the low image quality group (n = 45) was −1.73 to +0.67, (median −1.2). Images in the high image quality group (n = 44) ranged from −1.52 to +0.53, (median −0.53). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The study shows an association between VGA scores of image quality and detector manufacturer. Possible causes may be that imaging hardware and/or software are not equal in terms of quality, that the level of support sought and given differs between systems, or a combination of the two. Clinicians purchasing equipment should be mindful that image quality can differ across systems. VGA is practical for veterinarians to compare image quality between systems or within a system over time.
Highlights
The major benefits of digital radiography are well accepted and include an increased tolerance of errors in exposure factor selection, avoidance of the negative environmental impact of film processing, ease of storage and retrieval, and if used correctly, improved image quality [1]
Digital radiography images [16,360] submitted during the period 2012 to 2017, to the Danish Kennel Club for hip dysplasia screening were retrieved from a patient archiving and communication system (PACS)
This study set out determine if a suspected association between image quality and image detector manufacturer existed in a large cohort of images submitted for hip dysplasia screening to the Danish Kennel Club
Summary
The major benefits of digital radiography are well accepted and include an increased tolerance of errors in exposure factor selection, avoidance of the negative environmental impact of film processing, ease of storage and retrieval, and if used correctly, improved image quality [1] For these reasons computed radiography or increasingly digital radiography dominate over film screen radiography in veterinary practice [2,3,4]. The quality score is provided as a service to the veterinarians submitting images It is based on a wide assessment including technical image quality issues, and radiography technique such as patient positioning or beam centering. The evaluation was solely used to generate the hypothesis of a link between quality and detector manufacturer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
