Digital image analysis of radio-opacities in the paranasal sinuses using computed radiography.

A computed radiograph system (Toshiba, model TCR-201) was used to investigate the digital image analysis of radio-opacity of the paranasal sinuses. The results of the preliminary phantom examination for evaluating the exposure technique indicated that the tube voltage should be kept constant. By using conventional radiographic images and tomographic images of normals and cases of sinusitis, the quantum values (Q-values), Q-value profiles, and Q-value histograms of radio-opacities in the paranasal sinuses were assessed statistically. Findings demonstrated that radio-opacities in the paranasal sinuses could be evaluated quantitatively by these digital image analyses.