Computted radiography and film digitizer inputs to an intensive care unit teleradiology system: An image quality comparison

We compared computed radiography (CR) with a film digitizer as an image input device for transmitting radiographs to intensive care unit (ICU) displays. Limiting spatial resolution and low-contrast detectability performance were determined for a 600-speed screen-film combination and CR films. The same image data were transmitted to ICU displays directly from the CR or by digitizing the conventional film. CR resolution ranged from 2.5 to 3 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm) depending on cassette size. Display station resolution for the CR image data was 1.5–1.9 lp/mm, but improved resolution could be achieved using display magnification modes. Film digitization resulted in a loss of resolution. Direct transmission of CR image data to display stations gave low-contrast detectability similar to that obtained with CR film. ICU teleradiology displays that use CR, rather than film digitizers, offer improved image quality and superior operational efficiency.