Diagnostic capability of digital radiography of the chest using scanning laser stimulated luminescence

Diagnostic capability of Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) of the chest was compared to the conventional radiography (CoR) using regular film-screen system. FCR utilizes imaging plates of scanning laser stimulated luminescence. Visibility of 14 structures of the chest radiography was evaluated by 3 radiologists in 100 pairs of FCR and CoR which were taken at the same time with the same exposure factors. FCR was superior to CoR especially in observation of the mediastinum and areas behind the heart and diaphragm. The minor fissure was better seen on CoR. Superiority of FCR to CoR was thought to be mainly due to the processed image of FCR, and the so-called normal image of FCR had little diagnostic advantage. Simulated abnormal densities: nodular, alveolar, and interstitial densities with a chest phantom, were made, and detectability of alteration of these densities on FCR and CoR was evaluated by 19 radiologist, using ROC curve analysis. FCR and CoR revealed the similar diagnostic capability in nodular and interstitial densities. In alveolar densities, however, FCR was statistically inferior to CoR. Nineteen radiologists were divided into 3 groups by their experience in radiology, and comparison was made as to their diagnostic capability with FCR and CoR in the same manner as described above. There was no significant difference among the groups with FCR in either density pattern.