A comparative contrast‐detail study of five medical displaysa)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the contrast-detail performance of five different commercial liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to other LCD and cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays for medical applications. A contrast-detail phantom, supplemented with 5 in. of acrylic, was imaged on a commercial digital radiographic system using techniques comparable to chest radiography. The phantom design enabled observer evaluation by a four-alternative forced choice paradigm. The acquired images were independently scored by five observers on five medical display devices: a 5 megapixel monochrome LCD, a 3 megapixel monochrome LCD, a 9 megapixel color LCD, a 5 megapixel monochrome CRT, and a mammographic-grade monochrome CRT. The data were analyzed using the method suggested by the manufacturer based on a nearest neighbor correction technique. They were further analyzed using a logistic regression response model with a natural threshold using an overall chi-square test for display type followed by pairwise comparisons for individual display performance. The differences between the display devices were small. The standard analysis of the results based on the manufacturer-recommended method did not yield any statistically discernible trend among displays. The logistic regression analysis, however, indicated that the 5 megapixel monochrome LCD was statistically significantly (p <0.0001) superior to the others, followed by the 3 megapixel monochrome LCD (p<0.0001). The three other displays exhibited lower but generally similar performance characteristics. The findings suggest that 5 and 3 megapixel monochrome LCDs provide comparable but subtly superior contrast detectability than other tested displays, with the former performing slightly better in the detection of subtle and fine details.

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“…CDRAD 2.0 has been used to assess the perceptive contrast and detail characteristics of radiographic systems during the transition from CRT monitors to LCD monitors and also during the transition from computed radiography to digital radiography [8][9][10]. The score, which a display obtains from CDRAD phantom analysis, reflects one of the most important outcomes in imaging namely the detection of small low-contrast objects, which is Fig.…”

Comparison of Radiation Exposure to the Patient and Contrast Detail Resolutions Across Low Dose 2d/3d Slot Scanner and Two Conventional Digital Radiography X-Ray Imaging Systems

“…The radiological image of the CDRAD test object can also be scored subjectively by observers 16,17 or using automatic scoring software 18 . To investigate whether the MDSS X-ray imaging system can be used in clinical practice for X-ray imaging examinations, the image quality of the MDSS was evaluated objectively and compared to the results of examinations of thorax and extremity regions using conventional DR X-ray imaging systems.…”

Anniversary Paper: Image processing and manipulation through the pages ofMedical Physics

“…Medical physicists have been intimately involved in the physical characterization and performance assessment of such displays, which require a unique blend of physics and perception. [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] These investigations include cathode-ray tube ͑CRT͒ displays and liquid crystal displays ͑LCDs͒ and monochrome and color display devices. According to AAPM professional guidelines from 1994, "the performance assessment of electronic display devices in healthcare institutions falls within the professional responsibilities of medical physicists."…”

“…36,37,40,41 Direct comparisons among LCDs and CRT displays have been performed. 49,52 Others have investigated noise in LCDs 44 and the temporal response of LCDs, 51 an important characteristic for proper interpretation of real-time image sequences acquired, for example, during fluoroscopy.…”