Methods for the Evaluation of Image Quality: A Review

In medical imaging, information about the patient and possible abnormalities is transferred to the radiologist in two major steps: (i) data acquisition and image formation, and (ii) processing and display. Step one is mainly dependent on technical and physical characteristics of the equipment. Step two includes the vital importance of the performance of the radiologist; i.e. how he or she detects and interprets the structures in the image. The quality of a radiographical procedure must therefore be described with regard to both these steps. The spectrum of possible evaluation methods of importance will be described. The principles, benefits and drawbacks of some of these methods will be given together with examples of their use.