Assessment of image quality in digital radiology using the CDRAD contrast-detail phantom in pediatrics / Evaluación de la calidad de la imagen en radiología digital utilizando el fantoma de detalle de contraste CDRAD en pediatría

ABSTRACT The transition from analog to digital radiology has expanded the capabilities of radiological imaging but has also made it possible to increase the radiation dose received by patients. Image quality in radiology is determined by factors such as radiographic techniques (kVp and mAs), which directly impact the dose and image quality. This study focuses on pediatric radiological exams considering their greater radiosensitivity and longer life expectancy. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between image quality and applied radiographic techniques using the CDRAD contrast-detail phantom. The results showed a direct linear relationship between the increase in kVp and the corresponding increase in image quality. Nonetheless, there was a significant variation in image quality between current-time products ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mAs, in contrast to the nearly linear relationship observed within the 2.5 and 10 mAs range

RESUMEN La transición de la radiología analógica a la digital ha ampliado las capacidades de las imágenes radiológicas, pero ha también permitió aumentar la dosis de radiación que reciben los pacientes. La calidad de la imagen en radiología está determinada por factores como las técnicas radiográficas (kVp y mAs), que impactan directamente en la dosis y la calidad de la imagen. Este estudio se centra en exámenes radiológicos pediátricos considerando su mayor radiosensibilidad y mayor espe ranza de vida. El estudio está dirigido a investigar la correlación entre la calidad de la imagen y las técnicas radiográficas aplicadas utilizando el detalle de contraste CDRAD fantasma. Los resultados mostraron una relación lineal directa entre el aumento de kVp y el correspondiente aumento de calidad de la imagen. No obstante, hubo una variación significativa en la calidad de la imagen entre los productos actuales que van desde 0,5 a 2,5 mAs, en contraste con la relación casi lineal observada dentro del rango de 2,5 y 10 mAs.

Imagenología digital como recurso didáctico en el aprendizaje significativo de las Ciencias Médicas

RESUMEN La especialidad de Imagenología comprende áreas del conocimiento médico que utilizan diferentes tecnologías en creciente desarrollo y métodos que exteriorizan partes del cuerpo humano, por tal motivo, educar a través del diagnóstico por imágenes informatizadas constituye un desafío en la actualidad. El presente artículo plantea describir las características principales de los medios de enseñanza y el interés que brinda especialmente la imagen radiológica digital como recurso didáctico. Se recopiló y revisó bibliografía de mayor novedad y profundidad en el tratamiento del tema. La estrategia de búsqueda adoptada fue la utilización de las palabras clave o descriptores en español e inglés. En la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas las tecnologías modernas traen diversidad de herramientas didácticas en el marco de escenarios docentes que impulsan y motivan el desarrollo rápido de habilidades perceptivas, la utilización cada vez más frecuente de imágenes digitales como medio de enseñanza la convierten en un recurso muy utilizado actualmente que exige habilidades y manejo eficaz. Las imágenes digitales con fines docentes son una alternativa importante, pues reflejan la modernidad e incorporan el conocimiento, debido a que se transforman en un nuevo recurso destinado a comunicar.

ABSTRACT The specialty of Imaging includes areas of medical knowledge that use different technologies in growing development and methods that externalize parts of the human body, for this reason, educating through computerized imaging diagnosis is a challenge today. This article proposes to describe the main characteristics of the teaching aids and the interest that the digital radiological image offers especially as a didactic resource. Bibliography of greater novelty and depth in the treatment of the subject was collected and reviewed. The search strategy adopted was the use of keywords or descriptors in Spanish and English. In the University of Medical Sciences, modern technologies bring diversity of didactic tools within the framework of teaching scenarios that promote and motivate the rapid development of perceptual skills, the increasingly frequent use of digital images as a means of teaching make it a very useful resource. Currently used that requires skills and effective handling. Digital images for teaching purposes are an important alternative, as they reflect modernity and incorporate knowledge, because they become a new resource for communicating.

Application value of convolutional neural network in quality control of direct digital chest X-ray images / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To explore the application value of convolution neural network in quality control (QC) of chest digital radiology (DR) images. Methods: We classified and labeled 1 618 chest DR images taken by different machines, 1 294 of which were used as training set for convolution neural network and 324 as test set for detection effect. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value (PPV), negative predicted value (NPV) and overall accuracy of the test results were calculated using the confusion matrix of two and four classifications. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the two-classification results were 73.53%, 97.93%, 80.65%, 96.93%, and 95.37%, respectively; the total accuracy of the four-classification results was 75.93%. The overall accuracy of the two-classification results was significantly higher than that of the four-classification results (P<0.05). Conclusion: Convolutional neural network can satisfy the requirement of image QC to meet the minimum standard. However, in order to carry out high-level image quality scoring and assessment management, larger data sets and more detailed feature markers are needed.

To optimize radiation dose by reasonable application of X-ray examination / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

X-ray examination is an important part of modern precision medicine,and plays an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis and evaluation of disease outcomes as well as the surgical planning.With the widespread use of digital radiology and CT examinations,repeated and excessive X-ray examinations occur that cause the subject to receive excessive or additional radiation doses which cause radiation damage.How to optimize the radiation dose to meet the diagnosis of the disease and reduce the radiation damage of the subject is an important topic for researchers and equipment developers.As a result,X-ray radiation damage has attracted the attention of governments,society,subjects and X-ray inspection workers.This article explores ways to reduce radiation dose and reviews its progress.

Evaluation of common inspection techniques for acute atlantoaxial trauma / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To evaluate and compare the 3 common inspection techniques for acute atlantoaxial trauma:tomosynthesis(DTS),digital radiology(DR) and computed tomography(CT).Methods The imaging data from March 2013 through December 2017 were retrieved from the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems(PACS) of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University concerning the patients with acute atlantoaxial trauma.Selected for this study were 50 DTS images(DTS group),50 CT images(CT group) and 50 DR images(DR group).The image diagnoses for the 3 groups were conducted by 2 senior radiologists and their judgments were compared with the definite clinical diagnoses.The 3 groups were compared in terms of diagnostic accuracy,diagnostic rate of acute atlantoaxial trauma,image quality and effective radiation dosage.Results DR was insignificantly different from DTS or CT in diagnostic accuracy for the acute atlantoaxial Irauma which had been caused by mild violence like spraining and falling(P>0.05),but significantly inferior to both DTS and CT in diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic rate of the acute atlantoaxial trauma which had been caused by severe violence like traffic accident(P<0.05).In detection of atlas/axial fracture and atlantoaxial dislocation,DTS was slightly weaker than CT but significantly better than DR(P<0.05).The image quality scores for CT group(4.60±0.11) and DTS group(4.16±0.15) were significantly higher than that for DR group(2.80±0.18)(P<0.05).In average effective radiation dosage,CT group(2.33±0.020 mSv/time) was the highest,followed by DTS group(0.61±0.076 mSv/time) and DR group(0.025±0.003 mSv/time),showing significant differences between any two(P<0.05).Conclusions DR technique may be used for inspection of the atlantoaxial acute trauma caused by mild violence like spraining and falling,but has little value for inspection of most cases of atlantoaxial acute trauma.DTS technique may be the first choice for inspection of most atlantoaxial acute trauma.CT should be applied as a further inspection for complex cases because of its highest diagnostic accuracy and highest effective radiation dosage.

Application value of multi-slice spiral CT based on low dose technique in the diagnosis of ;rib fracture / 中国医学装备

Objective: To explore the application value of multi-slice spiral CT based on low dose technique in diagnosis of rib fracture. Methods: 58 patients with highly suspected rib fracture patients were examined by DR and multi-slice spiral CT. 3D reconstruction were finished after MSCT examination at the workstation, including MPR(multi-planar reconstruction), and volume rendering technique(VR). And the results were compared between DR and CT. Results:58 patients all successfully completed the chest X-ray film and multi-slice spiral CT examination. Multi-slice spiral CT image quality fully met the requirements of clinic. It can not only diagnose, but also display the number, location and morphology of rib fracture. 45 cases were diagnosed with chest DR rib fracture and suspected fracture, and the positive rate was 77.59%(45/58). 56 cases were definitely diagnosed with multi-slice spiral CT scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction rib fracture, and the positive rate was 96.55%. Conclusion: The patients can receive lower dose and the tube can be used for a longer time by low dose technique. 3D reconstruction techniques of multi-slice spiral CT not only improve the accuracy of diagnosis, but also display rib fracture morphology clearly, so its clinical value is much higher than DR.

Análisis geométrico de la arquitectura trabecular de un hueso de bovino durante el proceso inducido de desmineralización / Geometric analysis of the trabecular architecture in a bovine bone during the process of induced demineralization

La masificación de la radiología digital ha hecho posible el estudio de diferentes patologías mediante imágenes de alta calidad diagnóstica. Existen diferentes patologías que afectan al tejido óseo, y que producen pérdida del mineral(1). Aquellas patologías se caracterizan por la pérdida de la arquitectura trabecular y un adelgazamiento de la cortical(7), visibles en la radiología. Aquellos cambios llevan al paciente a caer en el riesgo de sufrir futuras fracturas(8), por lo que se considera importante realizar un análisis de la geometría de las trabéculas ante este tipo de patología, con el fin de prever riesgos de fractura. Material y Métodos. Para realizar este estudio, se escogió un fémur de bovino(19). Este fue sumergido en ácido acético al 4 por ciento, con el fin de producir su desmineralización. Se le realizó una medición cada 24 horas mediante la adquisición de imágenes radiológicas, que fueron obtenidas con un equipo digital directo hasta observar cambios radiológicos evidentes en la población trabecular. Las imágenes fueron evaluadas mediante un software de libre acceso llamado ImageJ®(23), realizando mediciones trabeculares mediante la herramienta ROI, y se adquirieron los valores de área, perímetro y circularidad. Resultados. En las 10 trabéculas estudiadas se observaron y cuantificaron cambios en la arquitectura trabecular, aumentando el área en un 124 por ciento, el perímetro en un 53 por ciento y la circularidad se mantuvo en promedio constante. Conclusiones: Mediante la radiología digital, es posible evaluar la arquitectura trabecular mediante parámetros geométricos, los cuales nos indican que existen cambios muy pequeños a lo largo del tiempo. Se observó un aumento de tamaño en las trabéculas, pero sin pérdida de su forma.

Introduction. The mass use of digital radiology has made possible the study of different pathologies through high quality diagnostic images. There are different diseases that affect bone tissue and which produce mineral loss (1). Those diseases are characterized by loss of trabecular architecture and cortical thinning (7), visible in radiology. Those changes lead the patient to suffer the risk of future fractures (8), therefore it is considered important to analyze the geometry of the trabeculae in this kind of pathology in order to anticipate fracture risk. Material and Methods. For this study, a bovine's femur was chosen(19). This was immersed in 4 percent acetic acid to produce demineralization. Measurement was performed (in Clinica Alemana Santiago) every 24 hours by radiological imagings, which were obtained with digital radiology (DR) to observe obvious radiological changes in trabecular population. The images were evaluated by a freely available software called ImageJ® (23), by performing Trabecular measurements using the ROI tool, acquiring the values of area, perimeter and circularity. Results. In the 10 trabeculae studied, we observed and quantified changes in trabecular architecture, increasing the value of average area in 124 percent, perimeter in 53 percent and no change in circularity during the demineralization process. Conclusions. With digital radiography, it is possible to evaluate the trabecular architecture using geometric parameters, which indicate that there are very small changes over time. An increase in size of the trabeculae was observed, trabeculae was observed, but without loss of shape.

Digitalização de filmes radiográficos com costura de imagens / Digitalization of X-ray films with image stitching

OBJETIVO: Propor um método reprodutível, de fácil utilização e de baixo custo para a digitalização de filmes radiográficos de todos os tamanhos padrões, concentrando nossos esforços em filmes radiográficos de tórax. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O objetivo de baixo custo ditou o uso de um escâner A4 com adaptador de transparência, bem como um software de costura de imagens otimizado, que tira proveito da geometria do escâner e área de captura constante, bem como o conhecimento das dimensões dos filmes radiográficos padrões. RESULTADOS: O resultado final do método proposto é uma imagem de alta resolução com bom contraste e sem artefatos de costura perceptíveis. CONCLUSÃO: O método de digitalização proposto usando um escâner A4 possibilita reprodutibilidade, excelente qualidade de imagem e alto grau de certeza na identificação de lesões.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a reproducible, user friendly and low cost method for digitization of radiographic films of all the standard sizes, focusing efforts on chest X-ray films. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The focus on low cost have dictated the use of an A4 scanner with transparency adapter, as well as an optimized image stitching software that takes advantage of the scanner geometry and constant capture area, besides the knowledge of the standard X-ray film sizes. RESULTS: The end result of the proposed method is a high resolution image with good contrast and no perceptible stitching artifacts. CONCLUSION: The proposed digitization method with an A4 scanner allows reproducibility, excellent image quality and high degree of certainty in the identification of lesions.

Estudo do desempenho de monitores utilizados em radiologia digital / Performance study of LCD in digital radiology

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de 24 monitores LCD utilizados nos laudos médicos, segundo testes recomendados pelo AAPM Report 03, de 2005. MATERIAL E MÉ-TODO: Os testes foram realizados de acordo com o AAPM Report 03 de 2005, em parâmetros como: distorção geométrica, reflexão, uniformidade e resposta de luminância, contraste, resolução, ruído e velamento por reflexão interna, com auxílio de fotômetro ou visualmente. RESULTADOS: Apresentaram-se problemas de: ruído (38% das estações de trabalho), resposta de luminância econtraste (33%) e uniformidade da luminância (4%). CONCLUSÃO: Em razão de o modelo MDNC4130 estar configurado para maximizar a vida útil, sua luminância é baixa, fazendo com que ruídos causados por sujeira comprometam a imagem. Em retestes, mostrou-se que a limpeza periódica dosmonitores resolve este problema. Já no caso das não conformidades em luminância e contraste, percebeu-se que a calibração automática com o software do monitor nem sempre corrige as distorções apresentadas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the imagequality of 24 display devices and to compare the results of performance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Tests were executed following AAPM Report 03 on 24 display devices installed in the Instituto de Radiologia do Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.The evaluation of test pattern considered these parameters:geometric distortions, luminance uniformity and response, contrast,reflections, resolution, and noise. RESULTS: The problems found were: noise (38% of workstations), luminance and contrast (33%) and luminance uniformity (4%). CONCLUSION: The model MDNC4130 was setting to preserve the life of display device, then the luminance is low, making the noise caused by dirt compromising image. The new test showed that regular cleaning of displaydevices solves this problem. In the case of non compliance of luminance and constrast realized that the automatic calibration of the display devices is not always correct the distortions.

Estudo do desempenho de monitores LCD utilizados em radiologia digital / Performance study of LCD in digital radiology

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de 24 monitores LCD utilizados noslaudos médicos, segundo testes recomendados pela AAPM Report 03, de 2005. MATERIAL E MÉ-TODO: Os testes foram realizados de acordo com o AAPM Report 03 de 2005 em parâmetros como:distorção geométrica, reflexão, uniformidade e resposta de luminância, contraste, resolução, ruído e velamento por reflexão interna, com auxílio de fotômetro ou visualmente. RESULTADOS: Apresentaram-se problemas de ruído (38% das estações de trabalho), resposta de luminância e contraste (33%) e uniformidade da luminância (4%). CONCLUSÃO: Em razão de o modelo MDNC4130 estarconfigurado para maximizar a vida útil, sua luminância é baixa, fazendo com que ruídos causados por sujeira comprometam a imagem. Em retestes, mostrou-se que a limpeza periódica dos monitores resolve este problema. Já no caso das não conformidades em luminância e contraste, percebeu-se que a calibração automática com o software do monitor nem sempre corrige as distorções apresentadas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the imagequality of 24 display devices and to compare the results of performance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Tests were executed following AAPM Report 03 on 24 display devices installed in Instituto de Radiologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. The evaluation of test pattern considered these parameters: geometric distortions, luminance uniformity and response, contrast, reflections, resolution, and noise. RESULTS: The problems found were: noise (38% of workstations), luminance and contrast (33%) and luminance uniformity (4%). CONCLUSION: The model MDNC4130 was setting to preserve the life of display device, then the luminance is low, making the noise caused by dirt compromising image. The new testshowed that regular cleaning of display devices solves this problem.In the case of non compliance of luminance and contrast realized that the automatic calibration of the display devices is not always correct the distortions.

Importancia de la radiología digital en el diagnóstico de las enfermedades causantes de disfagia / Importance of digital radiology in the diagnosis of diseases causing dysphagia

Se hizo un trabajo prospectivo para destacar el valor de la radiología digital en el diagnóstico de las afecciones causantes de disfagia. Se exploraron 168 pacientes a quienes se les aplicó dicha técnica y se compararon estos resultados con los obtenidos mediante la técnica convencional. Se observó que los resultados del estudio con doble contraste en el diagnóstico de las afecciones del intestino delgado fueron positivos en el 89,5 % y negativos en el 10,5 %. En todos los casos, el diagnóstico fue confirmado con otras técnicas. Se alcanzaron los resultados siguientes: 100 % de sensibilidad, 97 % de especificidad y 98,7 % de valores predictivos positivos. Se expusieron las ventajas y características de la técnica y se hizo una descripción de la misma.

A prospective work was done to stress the value of digital radiology in the diagnosis of affections causing dysphagia. 168 patients that were applied this technique were screened and the results were compared with those obtained by using the conventional technique. It was observed that the results of the double contrast study in the diagnosis of affections of the small intestine were positive in 89.5 % and negative in 10.5 %. In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by other techniques.The following results were attained: sensitivity - 100 %, specificity - 97 % and positive predictive values - 98.7 %. The advantages and characteristics of the technique were exposed and a description of it was made.