DIGITAL SELENIUM RADIOGRAPHY - COMPARISON OF IMAGE QUALITY OF THORACIC X-RAYS IN NORMAL AND REDUCED IMAGE FORMATS, BASED ON STRUCTURAL ANATOMIC DETAILS

Purpose: Is there a loss of information when using selenium radiograph ic images displayed with reduced image format compared to full format? Method: Digital selenium radiographic chest images in two planes were obtained in 35 patients for medical reaons. The digital data sets of each patient were separately displayed in full format on two different films and were printed in reduced format on one film. The format was reduced to 61% of the full format using an acquisition matrix of 2166 x 2488 pixels, an image display matrix of 4000 x 5000 pixels and a fil m format of 43 x 49 cm. All images were anonymously evaluated by four independent readers using a questionnaire concerning anatomic structur es. Results: Format reduction did not result in a loss of information in diagnostically relevant anatomic details. Conclusions: Displaying d igital selenium radiographic data sets of thoracic view in two planes on one film presumably does not lead to a loss of diagnostic informati on. This procedure may help to reduce film costs.