PNEUMOCONIOSIS - COMPARISON OF DIGITIZED AND CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHS

The classification of pneumoconiosis on 108 paired radiographs obtaine d in coal miners was compared by using conventional radiograph film im ages and digitized images of those conventional film images. Conventio nal film images and digitized images were each independently read in a random order in two separate sessions by three radiologists certified as ''B'' readers. Overall, the digitized images were perceived as bei ng of better quality than the conventional film images (radiograph qua lity grade 1, 48% [617 of 1,292 classifications] vs 37% [482 of 1,296] , respectively; P < .001). The mean International Labour Office (ILO) scores for small-opacity profusion were similar between the digitized images and conventional film images (3.14 vs 3.24, respectively; P = . 19). The mean absolute differences in small-opacity profusion score be tween radiograph pairs were also similar (0.74 vs 0.77, respectively; P = .50). No difference in the ILO type of opacity was noted between t he display modes. Interpretation of digitized images for pneumoconioti c small opacities was shown to be an acceptable alternative to interpr etation of conventional film images; the important problem of reader v ariability affects both display modes.