Markus Koerner MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Stefan Wirth MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marcus Treitl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Klaus-Juergen Pfeifer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maximilian Ferdinand Reiser MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ulrich Linsenmaier MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate image quality and anatomical detail depiction in dose reduced digital plain chest radiograms using new needle structured storage phosphor (NIP) in comparison to full dose conventional powder structured storage phosphor (PIP) images.

Six independent readers compared supine plain chest radiograms of 24 intensive care unit patients obtained with PIP at standard dose to follow-up studies of the same patients obtained with NIP at a dose lowered to 50% of the PIP dose (AGFA Corp., Belgium). Post-processing software was identical in the two settings with matched parameters. Image reading was performed using a PACS console with two identical high resolution monitors. For evaluation, the chest was divided in seven anatomical regions of interest (peripheral lung, central lung, hilum, heart, diaphragm, upper mediastinum, and bone), totaling 168 segments to be rated. Additionally, the noise impression was rated. All NIP images were compared to the corresponding PIP images using a five-point scale (-2, clearly inferior to +2, clearly superior). The overall image quality was separately rated for NIP and PIP images (1, not useable to 5, excellent).

In all anatomical regions, PIP and dose reduced NIP images were rated equivalent showing no relevant differences. Mean image noise impression was only slightly higher on NIP images. Mean image quality for NIP was 3.47 and 3.46 for PIP respectively (p > .05, Mann-Whitney-U test). The intra class correlation coefficient of the readers ranged from .683 to .863 for the single segments.

Chest radiograms performed with a needle structured storage phosphor at 50% of the standard PIP dose provided comparable image quality and anatomic detail depiction. This new technology allows a significant dose reduction especially in patients undergoing multiple follow up exams.

M.K.: This study was conducted in collaboration with AGFA Corp.

Koerner, M, Wirth, S, Treitl, M, Pfeifer, K, Reiser, M, Linsenmaier, U, Dose Reduction in Digital Chest Radiography: First Clinical Results with a New Needle Structured Storage Phosphor.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4414648.html