APPLICATION OF AMBER IN SINGLE-ENERGY AND DUAL-ENERGY DIGITAL IMAGING- IMPROVEMENT IN NOISE-LEVEL AND DISPLAY DYNAMIC-RANGE

The combination of computed radiography (CR) and advanced multiple bea m equalization radiography (AMBER) was evaluated for both single- and dual-energy chest radiography. The improved signal-to-noise ratio foun d with CR and AMBER resulted in a better visualization of structures i n the mediastinum and basal lung than that found with CR alone. For th e central lung, no improvement was seen. Because of the compressed dyn amic range with CR and AMBER, contrast on hard copies and video monito rs could be high without a sacrifice in image latitude. Dual-energy im ages showed a considerably lower noise level. The combined use of AMBE R and CR promises to overcome the dynamic range limitations of digital displays while improving signal-to-noise ratio.