Comparison of Two Detail Screen-Film Systems Using a Rheumatoid Erosion Model

Two detail screen-film systems, Lanex Fine/Ortho M and Lanex Fine/Ortho G, were evaluated using a radiographic model for rheumatoid erosions. Radiographs of hand bones with cortical defects using both screen-film systems were obtained. Seven observers analyzed 48 sites on each of 22 films for the presence of these cortical defects. Using analysis of variance techniques and receiver operating characteristic curves, no significant difference was found between the two systems for the detection of these subtle cortical defects. The authors conclude that although the Lanex Fine/Ortho M system provides better definition of laboratory test objects than Lanex Fine/Ortho G, the two systems do not differ when used for detection of cortical lesions.