Dependency of image quality on acquisition protocol and image processing in chest tomosynthesis—a visual grading study based on clinical data

Abstract

The study indicates that the protocol with 6.3 s acquisition time yields slightly better image quality than the vender-recommended protocol with acquisition time 12 s for several anatomical structures. Furthermore, the standard gradation processing (the vendor-recommended post-processing for DTS), yields to some extent advantage over the gradation processing/multiobjective frequency processing/flexible noise control processing in terms of image quality for all classes of criteria. Advances in knowledge: The study proves that the image quality may be strongly affected by the selection of DTS protocol and that the vendor-recommended protocol may not always be the optimal choice.

Image processing setting adaptions according to image dose and radiologist preference can improve image quality in computed radiography of the equine distal limb: A cadaveric study

“…5 The second option is prefer-able as it allows us to maintain a higher FE level and to better assess bone structures. 21 In agreement with our results, previous studies have shown that FNC is an effective approach to reduce noise in human radiography. 4,15 FNC is a multiresolution filter, which in contrast to a simple average filter (i.e., linear low-pass filters) does not blur the whole image but is able to preserve edges and anatomical structures.…”

“…Thus, if high quantum noise is present, as in low‐dose imaging, enhancing the contrast with FE leads to an accentuation of the already present noise, and the FE process thus may be deleterious 5 . The second option is preferable as it allows us to maintain a higher FE level and to better assess bone structures 21 . In agreement with our results, previous studies have shown that FNC is an effective approach to reduce noise in human radiography 4,15 .…”

“…Ten forelimbs and 10 hindlimbs distal to the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 20 horse cadavers were included. The sample size was based on previous visual grading studies with a comparable prospective analytical study design for radiographic IQ comparisons 16,20–23 . The animals were euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study and had no evidence of orthopedic disease.…”

“…The sample size was based on previous visual grading studies with a comparable prospective analytical study design for radiographic IQ comparisons. 16,[20][21][22][23] The animals were euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study and had no evidence of orthopedic disease. The director of our department approved the use of cadavers for the analytical study, and patient data were not included.…”

Viewdex 3.0—RECENT Development of a Software Application Facilitating Assessment of Image Quality and Observer Performance

“…The ViewDEX software can be downloaded free of charge from www.vgregion.se/sas/viewdex , and in the end of October 2020 ViewDEX had been downloaded from over 40 countries and had received over 230 citations in scientific publications. ViewDEX has for example been used for studies in conventional projection radiography ( 6 ) , tomosynthesis ( 7 ) , computed tomography (CT) ( 8 ) , mammography ( 9 ) , magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ( 10 ) , nuclear medicine imaging ( 11 ) , interventional imaging ( 12 ) and ultrasound ( 13 ) .…”