Comparison of X-ray film and photographic paper in recording CT images.

Because of a potential film cost savings of approximately 35% using photographic print paper instead of X-ray film in recording CT images, a comparison was undertaken of these hard copy recording methods. One hundred consecutive CT examinations were reviewed on the scanner display console and recorded on X-ray film and photographic print paper using a multi-imager camera. Hard copy images were compared for diagnostic adequacy. X-ray film adequately recorded the pathology in all cases. Photographic paper adequately recorded the pathology in 97% of cases. In 26% of cases X-ray film was felt to better display the CT diagnosis whereas in 2% of cases photographic paper better displayed the CT diagnosis. Test phantom scans recorded on both media showed no observable difference in spatial or contrast resolution.