The impact of greyscale inversion for nodule detection in an anthropomorphic chest phantom: a free-response observer study.

Objective:: The aim of this work was to assess the impact of greyscale inversion on nodule detection on posteroanterior chest X-ray images. Previous work has attempted this, with no consensus opinion formed. We assessed the value of "fast-flicking" between standard and inverted display modes for nodule detection.

A free-response evaluation determining value in the computed tomography attenuation correction image for revealing pulmonary incidental findings: a phantom study.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare lesion-detection performance when interpreting computed tomography (CT) images that are acquired for attenuation correction when performing single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) myocardial perfusion studies. In the United Kingdom, there is a requirement that these images be interpreted; thus, it is necessary to understand observer performance on these images.

Materials And Methods: An anthropomorphic chest phantom with inserted spherical lesions of different sizes and contrasts was scanned on five different SPECT/CT systems using site-specific CT protocols for SPECT/CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

The value of observer performance studies in dose optimization: a focus on free-response receiver operating characteristic methods.

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis has been successfully used in radiology to help determine the combined success of system and observer. There is great value in these methods for assessing new and existing techniques to see if diagnostic accuracy can be improved. Within all aspects of radiology there should be compliance with the as-low-as-reasonably-achievable principle, which requires optimization of the diagnostic suitability of the image.

Viewing another person's eye movements improves identification of pulmonary nodules in chest x-ray inspection.

Double reading of chest x-rays is often used to ensure that fewer abnormalities are missed, but very little is known about how the search behavior of others affects observer performance. A series of experiments investigated whether radiographers benefit from knowing where another person looked for pulmonary nodules, and whether the expertise of the model providing the search behavior was a contributing factor. Experiment 1 compared the diagnostic performance of novice and experienced radiographers examining chest x-rays and found that both groups performed better when shown the search behavior of either a novice radiographer or an expert radiologist.

Diagnostic efficacy of handheld devices for emergency radiologic consultation.

Objective: Orthopedic injury and intracranial hemorrhage are commonly encountered in emergency radiology, and accurate and timely diagnosis is important. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the diagnostic accuracy of handheld computing devices is comparable to that of monitors that might be used in emergency teleconsultation.

Subjects And Methods: Two handheld devices, a Dell Axim personal digital assistant (PDA) and an Apple iPod Touch device, were studied.

Ambient lighting: effect of illumination on soft-copy viewing of radiographs of the wrist.

Objective: The aim of the work was to establish optimum ambient light conditions for viewing radiologic images of the wrist on liquid crystal display monitors.

Materials And Methods: Five ambient light levels were investigated: 480, 100, 40, 25, and 7 lux. Seventy-nine experienced radiologists were asked to examine 30 posteroanterior wrist images and decide whether a fracture was present.