Shuji Sakai MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Mari Yakabe BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tiejiao Zhang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tomoyo Oota, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hirofumi Rine, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Junji Morishita PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tomohiro Koshiishi, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Konica Minolta Group Employee, Graphic, Inc

Hiroyuki Kuroyanagi, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

00030490-DMT et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Recently, a needle-structured storage phosphor imaging plate (NIP) of the vapor deposition type using cesium bromide (CsBr) phosphor was developed. The columnar crystal structure exhibits a light-guide effect similar to that of optical fiber, so that excitation light scattering is prevented, and effective derivation of the photostimulated light is achieved. Thus, the NIP exhibits excellent image sharpness and may have a superior ability to detect microcalcification than conventional powder-storage phosphor IP (PIP). The purpose of our study was to compare the physical image quality of NIP and existing PIP in Computed Radiography (CR)-based mammography and to ascertain how much NIP improves physical image quality.

Among three types of IP, one was a NIP which was newly produced, and the other two types were conventional PIPs. The physical image qualities of these IPs were evaluated in terms of response curve, modulation transfer function (MTF), Wiener spectrum (WS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Standard radiation quality RQA-M2 as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission was used. MTF was measured using a slit method. WS was measured using an image of a reference air kerma of 45μGy. WS and MTF were calculated with software developed by the Japan Industries Association of Radiological Systems. DQE was calculated from the measurements of WS, MTF and the effluence of x-ray quanta.

All three types of IP showed linear response curves. NIP showed the highest MTF value. The WS value for the PIP from the same manufacturer that made the NIP was equal to that of NIP, and the PIP for a dual-sided read CR system from a different manufacturer of NIP showed lower WS values than NIP. Furthermore, NIP showed higher DQE values than PIPs in all frequency domains. Specifically, NIP showed higher MTF and DQE in 4-6 cycle/mm frequency domains.

NIP for CR-based mammography decidedly improved the physical image qualities compared with the existing PIPs.

Accuracy of diagnosis for microcalcification on CR-based mammography may be improved by using a newly-produced NIP.

Sakai, S, Yakabe, M, Zhang, T, Oota, T, Rine, H, Morishita, J, Koshiishi, T, Kuroyanagi, H, et al, 0, Physical Image Quality Comparison of Three Types of Imaging Plate for Computed Radiography-based Mammography: How Much Can a Newly-Produced Needle-Structured Imaging Plate Improve?.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8006037.html