[Digital selenium radiography: a comparison of the picture quality of thoracic images in normal and reduced image formats based on the structural anatomical details].

PURPOSE

Is there a loss of information when using selenium radiographic images displayed with reduced image format compared to full format?

METHOD

Digital selenium radiographic chest images in two planes were obtained in 35 patients for medical reasons. The digital data sets of each patient were separately displayed in full format on two different films and were printed in reduced format on one film. The format was reduced to 61% of the full format using an acquisition matrix of 2166 x 2488 pixels, an image display matrix of 4000 x 5000 pixels and a film format of 43 x 49 cm. All images were anonymously evaluated by four independent readers using a questionnaire concerning anatomic structures.

RESULTS

Format reduction did not result in a loss of information in diagnostically relevant anatomic details.

CONCLUSIONS

Displaying digital selenium radiographic data sets of thoracic view in two planes on one film presumably does not lead to a loss of diagnostic information. This procedure may help to reduce film costs.