Needle-based storage-phosphor detector radiography is superior to a conventional powder-based storage phosphor detector and a high-resolution screen-film system in small patients (budgerigars and mice)

Abstract

This method comparison study used radiographs of 20 mice and 20 budgerigars to investigate comparability between computed radiography (CR) and high-resolution screen-film systems and study the effects of reduced radiation doses on image quality of digital radiographs of small patients. Exposure settings used with the mammography screen-film system (SF) were taken as baseline settings. A powder-based storage-phosphor system (CR P ) and a needle-based storage-phosphor system (CR N ) were used with the same settings (D/100%) and half the detector dose (D/50%). Using a scoring system four reviewers assessed five criteria per species covering soft tissue and bone structures. Results were evaluated for differences between reviewers (interobserver variability), systems and settings (intersystem variability, using visual grading characteristic analysis). Correlations were significant (p ≤ 0.05) for interobserver variability in 86.7% of the cases. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.206 to 0.772. For mice and budgerigars, the CR N system was rated as superior to the SF and CR P system for most criteria, being significant in two cases each. Comparing the SF and CR P system, the conventional method scored higher for all criteria, in one case significantly. For both species and both digital systems, dose reduction to 50% resulted in significantly worse scores for most criteria. In summary, the needle-based storage-phosphor technique proved to be superior compared to the conventional storage-phosphor and mammography screen-film system. Needle-based detector systems are suitable substitutes for high-resolution screen–film systems when performing diagnostic imaging of small patients. Dose reduction to 50% of the corresponding dose needed in high-resolution film-screen systems cannot be recommended.

Image processing setting adaptions according to image dose and radiologist preference can improve image quality in computed radiography of the equine distal limb: A cadaveric study

“…4 The overall correlation among the observers was moderate and comparable to that of other observational studies with similar study designs. 20 Although the reviewers were not necessarily expected to provide the same scores, it was interesting to determine if the trends were similar. The low correlations in the evaluation of anatomical structures can be adequately explained by the fact that the observers had different algorithm preferences at full dose, possibly because all algorithms performed well at this dose.…”

“…Absolute VGC analysis is based on a subjective assessment of IQ; therefore, the results depend on the observer's opinion. 38 However, this method was described as appropriate for evaluating IQ in diagnostic imaging 26,27 and previously used in comparable studies, 8,19,20,30,34 reflecting everyday clinical practice. Furthermore, a possible confounding effect of phantom variability was considered in the study design, as it had an equally weighted influence on all IP algorithms and dose levels.…”

“…Ten forelimbs and 10 hindlimbs distal to the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 20 horse cadavers were included. The sample size was based on previous visual grading studies with a comparable prospective analytical study design for radiographic IQ comparisons 16,20–23 . The animals were euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study and had no evidence of orthopedic disease.…”

“…The sample size was based on previous visual grading studies with a comparable prospective analytical study design for radiographic IQ comparisons. 16,[20][21][22][23] The animals were euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study and had no evidence of orthopedic disease. The director of our department approved the use of cadavers for the analytical study, and patient data were not included.…”

Optically Stimulated Luminescence Phosphors: Principles, Applications, and Prospects

“…The physical characteristics of the OSL phosphor imaging plates (IPs) have great effect in the determination of the image quality. [260][261][262][263][264][265][266][267] As shown in Figure 23, in the workflow of CR, an optical storage IP (fabricated using OSL phosphors) is exposed in a light-tight cassette as in screen/film radiography. After the exposure of X-ray and identification of patient, the cassette is put in a scanner for information read-out.…”