Methodology for the evaluation of diagnostic image quality.

This paper explains the theoretical backgrounds of various methods for the evaluation of diagnostic image quality. It introduces the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) methodology. The major prerequisites, some important features of the experimental set-up and of the data analysis of an ROC study are explained. Dedicated software packages to support ROC studies are introduced. A possible method on how to relate image quality and cost-effectiveness is presented. Finally some current problems of the ROC method and possible improvements are discussed.