THE VALUE OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEMS IN SKELETAL IMAGING

The clinical value and the imaging characteristics of digital radiography systems (image intensifier (I. I.) radiography: Polytron/Siemens, storage phosphor radiography: PCR/Philipps) in skeletal imaging were compared with film-screen radiography and 100 mm technique. The influence of spatial and contrast resolution, entrance dose and detectability of lytic, osteoblastic and cortical lesions were studied as well as the images of 25 parallel examined patients. Only with the small image intensifier (diameter 14 cm) the quality of 100 mm technique and digital I.I. radiography was equivalent to storage phosphor and film-screen radiography. Storage phosphor radiography seems to be better qualified than I.I. radiography to replace conventional techniques in skeletal imaging.