Digitized film radiography.
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Radiographic Image Enhancement↗
Biomedical subjects
M L Giger
Publications and source records attributed to M L Giger.
Digital imaging of the chest.
During the past several years, image acquisition in nuclear medicine, computed tomography, ultrasonography, subtraction angiography, and magnetic resonance has been by digitization. Despite these advances, research in the development of digital imaging in conventional radiography has lagged behind. Although studies with a variety of digital techniques have been carried out on several fronts, we still do not possess a method that has captured the imagination of the majority of radiologists and other physicians to a point where it could replace conventional screen-film imaging. This article reviews the current status and general principles of the technology, focusing on the four digital radiographic techniques that have shown the greatest promise - film digitization, an image intensifier - based system, photostimulable phosphor plates, and a scanned projection system. The physical aspects of each of the four systems and the clinical results that have been reported to date, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each system, are presented.
Humans↗
Digital chest radiography: effect on diagnostic accuracy of hard copy, conventional video, and reversed gray scale video display formats.
Observer performance tests were conducted to compare the effects on diagnostic accuracy of hard copy (film) versus video display and to determine the diagnostic merits of conventional negative ("white bone") versus positive ("black bone") video displays. Subjective preferences were elicited from each observer for each display modality, and diagnostic accuracy was determined with receiver operating characteristic analysis. Digitized chest radiographs were used, including normal and abnormal cases with a variety of subtle abnormalities. The hard copy was printed with a 1,024 X 1,024-matrix by a high-quality drum scanner in conventional white bone format only. The video images were displayed on a 1,023-line monitor (30 Hz, interlaced) in both white bone and black bone formats with fixed window and brightness settings. Most observers preferred hard copy to video, but preferences were sharply divided between white bone and black bone video. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly greater with hard copy than with video display, and the conventional white bone format was significantly superior in accuracy to the black bone display.
Computer Systems↗
Basic imaging properties of a large image intensifier-TV digital chest radiographic system.
The basic imaging properties of a large (57 cm) image intensifier (I.I.)-TV digital imaging system were examined to determine the effects of various physical parameters on the quality of the digital chest images obtained, and also to explore the clinical usefulness of the system. The characteristic curve of the digital system, which relates the output pixel value to the input relative x-ray intensity, was measured with an aluminum stepwedge. MTFs were determined using slit images, and the veiling-glare fraction was measured with a lead-disk technique. Noise Wiener spectra were obtained from uniformly exposed images. The current limitations of the large II-TV digital chest system are its low spatial resolution, and the presence of large amounts of veiling glare and structure mottle. Advantages of this system over other digital chest imaging systems include the high speed of image data acquisition and the capability of "real-time" dynamic imaging of the chest at a radiation dose comparable to that in conventional radiography of the chest.
Humans↗
Effect of pixel size on detectability of low-contrast signals in digital radiography.
The effect of pixel size and other physical parameters on the detectability of simple signals in digital radiography was investigated using a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is based on statistical decision theory and takes into account the characteristics of the human observer. The calculation of the SNR includes two-dimensional displayed digital signal spectra and noise Wiener spectra as well as the visual-response function and internal noise of the human observer. Threshold contrasts derived from calculated SNR's agreed well with results of an 18-alternative forced-choice observer study. Since a digital imaging system is not shift invariant, the threshold contrasts were determined for a range of alignments of the object relative to the sampling coordinates. The results indicate that a 0.2-mm pixel size may be adequate for visual detection of necessary detail in most digital radiographic examinations.
Differential Threshold↗
Digital radiographic imaging system with multiple-slit scanning x-ray beam: preliminary report.
A digital imaging system that employs a novel scanning x-ray tube, a multiple-slit assembly (MSA), and an image intensifier (II)-TV digital system is described. Use of the MSA can increase x-ray utilization by a factor of 100 over that obtained with single-slit systems. Scatter and veiling glare can be reduced substantially by synthesizing the final image from a number of multiple-slit images, resulting in improvement in contrast sensitivity. An experimental prototype system consisted of a conventional x-ray tube and an II-TV digital system used in conjunction with mechanical scanning of the MSA. Attenuation curves measured with an aluminum stepwedge showed that scatter and veiling glare were eliminated by this approach. Reconstructed images of phantoms were superior to images obtained with conventional wide-beam exposure. Physical parameters related to design of the scanning x-ray tube and a digital system for acquiring images of the chest are discussed.
Humans↗
Dynamic and static phantoms for evaluation of digital subtraction angiographic systems.
Two types of phantoms were developed with which to evaluate the overall performance of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) systems. A dynamic phantom, called a "fish bone" phantom, consists of polyethylene tubes that simulate blood vessels with various lesions, such as stenoses, ulcers, and aneurysms. With this phantom, washout curves were obtained representing the relationship between iodine content and time. It will be useful for qualitative assessment of DSA images, evaluation of different image-processing schemes, and studies of blood flow analysis. A static phantom, called a "C-D" phantom, can be used for measurement of quantitative contrast-detail (C-D) diagrams and for daily monitoring of DSA systems. This was constructed of tubes of seven different diameters (2.15-0.28 mm) and 14 different concentrations of contrast medium (100%-1.1% Renografin-76 [meglumine and sodium diatrizoate]). The C-D diagrams were determined from an observer performance study using C-D phantom images obtained at four different DSA settings.
Angiography↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 2. Noise Wiener spectrum.
We investigated theoretically the effects of various digital parameters, such as sampling aperture, sampling distance, number of quantization levels, and display aperture, on the noise Wiener spectrum of digital radiographic imaging systems. We also measured Wiener spectra for our digital image simulation/processing system, and the results agreed well with the theoretical predictions. Aliasing, which is an artifact caused by undersampling, and the use of a limited number of quantization levels were found to increase the Wiener spectrum for digital systems. The effects of image processing, including unsharp mask filtering, integration, and subtraction, on the Wiener spectrum were also demonstrated. Since noise influences the detectability of radiologic objects and thus diagnostic accuracy, knowledge of the effects of the various digital parameters on the noise spectrum will be useful in the evaluation and design of future digital imaging systems.
Analog-Digital Conversion↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. I. Modulation transfer function.
The effect of various digital parameters, such as the sampling aperture, sampling distance, and display aperture, on the modulation transfer function (MTF) of digital radiographic imaging systems was investigated by means of theoretical simulation studies. The MTFs were also determined experimentally to confirm the relationship used in the simulation studies. The results indicate that the overall MTF of a digital system cannot specify the resolution properties in the same way as can the MTFs of analog systems. The MTF of a digital system may include a "false" response due to aliasing, which could lead to an incorrect interpretation of the resolution properties. The magnitude of aliasing that will occur in a digitized signal depends on the sampling parameters chosen and on the frequency content of the radiologic object being imaged. Thus, the type of object to be detected as well as various digital parameters must be considered in the design and evaluation of digital imaging systems.
Radiography↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 6. MTFs of II-TV digital imaging systems.
We devised a new, simple technique for measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) of a digital imaging system by using an image of an angulated slit. With this technique, the "presampling" analog MTF, which includes the geometric unsharpness, the detector unsharpness, and the unsharpness of the sampling aperture, can be measured even beyond the Nyquist frequency. A single-frame image of a slightly angulated slit was employed in order to obtain Fourier transforms of line spread functions at different alignments. The presampling MTF was determined by averaging the two Fourier transforms which we obtained from two extreme alignments (center and shifted) of the slit relative to the sampling coordinate. The presampling MTFs of our digital subtraction angiographic system were determined in two orthogonal directions for three different image-intensifier modes.
Fourier Analysis↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 3. Effect of pixel size on SNR and threshold contrast.
The effect of pixel size on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and threshold detection of low-contrast radiologic patterns was investigated theoretically for digital radiographic systems. The SNR based on the perceived statistical decision theory model, together with the internal noise of the human eye-brain system, was calculated by using two-dimensional displayed digital signal spectra and noise Wiener spectra. Threshold contrasts were predicted from the calculated SNR for various combinations of object size and shape, pixel size, resolution, and noise. Predicted threshold contrasts agreed well with those determined experimentally in an observer performance study. The threshold contrast of small objects increased substantially as the pixel size increased beyond 0.2 mm. For pixel sizes of 0.1 and 0.2 mm, however, the threshold contrasts were similar. Since a digital system is not shift invariant, a range of threshold contrast results for a small object and a large pixel, depending on the alignment of the object position relative to the sampling coordinates.
Humans↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography 10. Structure mottle of II-TV digital imaging systems.
Single-frame images obtained with image intensifier (II)-TV digital systems contain a large amount of structure mottle. In the present study, we examined several II-TV digital systems by use of Wiener spectral analysis and noted considerable variation of the structure mottle over the wide spatial frequency range. We found that the structure mottle in these systems may originate in the input phosphor, the output phosphor, and/or the electronic components, and that the Wiener spectra of structure mottle seem to depend on the specific combination of these components. The results of observer performance studies indicated that structure mottle can significantly decrease the detection of low-contrast objects in a single-frame image when the exposure incident on the II is greater than approximately 0.1 mR. In addition, we showed that the structure mottle can be removed by subtraction of a uniformly exposed mask. This simple procedure will improve the quality of radiologic images obtained with II-TV digital systems. Note, however, that the structure mottle is largely eliminated by subtraction in digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images.
Humans↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 8. Detection of simulated low-contrast objects in digital subtraction angiographic images.
We investigated the effects of imaging and display conditions on the detectability of low-contrast objects in digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) images. The test images were produced by superimposition of low-contrast objects on a uniform noisy background obtained with a DSA system. We employed 18-alternative forced-choice (18-AFC) experiments and predictions based on statistical decision theory to study the dependence of the threshold contrasts of the test objects on the object size, incident x-ray exposure, display window width, and display medium. The results indicated that the threshold contrast decreased with increasing object size, and that the detectability of an object of a given size increased with increasing incident x-ray exposure and decreasing width of the display window. We found that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained from the perceived statistical decision theory model, which includes the observer's internal noise, can accurately predict the detectability of low-contrast objects in DSA images. The threshold SNR corresponding to 50% correct detection in the 18-AFC experiments had a constant value of 3.8, in agreement with results reported previously for screen-film systems. The theoretical model will be useful for prediction of the performance of a DSA system based on its physical characteristics, and for evaluation of the tradeoff between patient exposure and diagnostic accuracy for a given DSA unit.
Angiography↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 9. Effect of displayed grey levels on signal detection.
Results of an 18-alternative forced-choice experiment have shown that observers were capable of detecting a signal with a contrast of 1 in terms of 10-bit data which were displayed on a CRT monitor with an 8-bit video generator and a window width setting of 1024. We investigated the conditions under which 10-bit signal data can be detected when displayed using an 8-bit video generator. Results show that the 10-bit digital quantum noise, which was approximately Gaussian distributed, can act as a carrier of the signal data, thus allowing a signal having a contrast of a fraction of a displayed grey level to be detected. We demonstrate the relationship between the rms value of the digital noise (obtainable with a clinical digital subtraction angiography system under various exposure levels), the number of bits available in the display video generator, and the "transmitted" signal contrast displayed on the CRT monitor.
Biometry↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 5. Characteristic curves of II-TV digital systems.
A simple method was devised to determine the characteristic curve of image intensifier (II)-TV digital imaging systems, which relates the output pixel value to the input relative x-ray intensity. To provide a wide range of x-ray intensities incident on the II, we used an aluminum stepwedge consisting of nine steps with thickness increments of 6.3 mm, together with an 0.81-mm-thick copper plate. The x-ray field was narrowly collimated to the area occupied by the stepwedge in order to reduce the effect of veiling glare. The relative x-ray intensities transmitted through each step of the stepwedge were determined by using screen-film systems. The gradient curve of the system was derived from the slope of the characteristic curve. Results obtained with a Siemens Digitron 2 system showed that its characteristic and gradient curves depended upon the matrix size used, but did not change with the II field size. The validity of the characteristic curve was demonstrated by measurement of iodine attenuation curves obtained with the II-TV digital system at different exposure levels.
Humans↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 7. Noise Wiener spectra of II-TV digital imaging systems.
We used Wiener spectral analysis in order to investigate the different noise sources and the effects of various parameters such as pixel size, image intensifier (II) field size, and exposure level on the noise in an II-TV digital system. The digital Wiener spectra in terms of relative x-ray intensity were determined directly from the digital noise data in terms of pixel values, by use of the characteristic curve of the imaging system. From averaged, subtracted, and/or combination images, the amount of structure mottle relative to the amount of quantum mottle was estimated. We found that a substantial amount of structure mottle was included in our II-TV digital subtraction angiography system, whereas the electronic noise of the TV system was quite small relative to the quantum and structure mottle. The effects of time jitter on the noise in single-frame images (consisting of multiple video frames) and in subtracted and averaged images were also investigated.
Angiography↗
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 12. Effect of matrix configuration on spatial resolution.
We investigated the effects of three matrix configurations (a conventional 512 X 512 matrix, a double-sampling matrix, and a high-resolution 1024 X 1024 matrix) on the resolution properties of an image intensifier (II)-TV digital radiographic imaging system. Expressions for the optical transfer function were derived theoretically for each of the three matrix configurations, and the corresponding digital modulation transfer functions (MTF's) were calculated using the measured MTF's of the presampling analog components and the parameters of the digital system. In addition, digital images of a star pattern phantom and a hand phantom were obtained with the II-TV system for each matrix type. From our results, we conclude that, in order to increase the resolution of an II-TV digital imaging system, it is necessary not only to increase the matrix size, but also to improve the resolution capabilities of analog components such as the II and/or TV camera. In addition, if the system cannot be upgraded to a 1024 X 1024 matrix configuration, a double-sampling technique with an 512 X 512 matrix may be employed.
Hand↗
Image feature analysis and computer-aided diagnosis in digital radiography. 3. Automated detection of nodules in peripheral lung fields.
We are investigating the characteristic features of lung nodules and the surrounding normal anatomic background in order to develop an algorithm of computer vision for use as an aid in the detection of nodules in digital chest radiographs. Our technique involves an attempt to eliminate the background anatomic structures in the lung fields by means of a difference image approach. Then, feature-extraction techniques, such as tests for circularity, size, and their variation with threshold level, are applied so that suspected nodules can be isolated. Preliminary results of this automated detection scheme yielded high true-positive rates and low false-positive rates in the peripheral lung regions of the chest. This detection scheme, which can assist the final diagnosis by the clinician, has the potential to improve the early detection of lung carcinomas.
Diagnostic Errors↗