[Paranasal sinusitis: study with conventional and spiral computerized tomography].

This study was aimed at comparing the diagnostic value of conventional computed tomography (CCT) with that of spiral computed tomography (SCT) in sinonasal structures and ostiomeatal complex in thirty patients with inflammatory disease. Ten patients were examined with CCT (3-mm slice thickness, 120 kV, 100 mA, 2-s gantry rotation) and 20 were examined with SCT (3-mm slice thickness, 120 kV, 200 mA, 1-s gantry rotation and computed image reconstruction every 3 mm); table gain was 3 mm (Pitch 1) in 10 patients and 5 mm (Pitch 1.6) in the other 10 patients.

[Nodular lesions simulated on an anthropomorphic thoracic phantom. A comparison between analog and digital images of the thorax].

Aim of this work is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different modalities of digital radiology, compared with conventional radiology, in the detection of lung nodules. Forty images of an anthropomorphic chest phantom, on which simulated nodules had been previously set, were analyzed by 6 radiologists with 4 different viewing modalities: a) conventional radiography; b) photostimulable plates digital radiography; c) photostimulable plates digital image on dedicated monitor; d) conventional radiography digitized with Film Laser Digitizer and viewed on Display Workstation. For each image the radiologists had to transfer on a sketch the site of the detected nodules giving an opinion on their detectability (uncertain-presumable-probable-certain presence) with a 1 to 4 score.

[Conventional radiology, digital radiology with photostimulable phosphor, laser digitalization of thoracic radiographic films at the bedside. A comparative study].

The bedside chest images obtained with conventional radiology and with "on line" and "off line" digital modalities were compared to evaluate the respective capabilities in visualizing chest anatomical structures. Seventy patients were submitted to bedside chest examinations with a portable unit; both a conventional film and a digital system (PCR Graphics 1, Philips) with photostimulable phosphor imaging plate were fitted in the radiographic cassette. The former was digitized using an "off line" laser beam unit (FD 2000, Dupont); the latter was subsequently postprocessed by modifying contrast, optical density and spatial frequencies.