Clinical aspects of quality criteria in digital radiography

In clinical radiological practice two main questions regarding image quality have to be looked at: Which degree of image quality is needed? and: How can this image quality be objective? Image quality requirements depend on size, density and contrast of the objects of interest and on the clinical question which has to be answered. In comparison to conventional radiography, the digital radiographic techniques offer additional features concerning optimisation of image quality and dose, like a wider dynamic range, digital fluoroscopic techniques and post-processing. Therefore it is necessary to define new quality criteria for these techniques. In the following, typical examples demonstrate the development of the 'Diagnostic Requirements for Digital Radiographic Procedures'. These examinations include projection radiographs with digital luminiscent radiography, fluoroscopic procedures with digital image intensifier radiography and angiographic procedures with digital subtraction angiography. The clinical question of a radiological examination also forms the background to optimisation strategies considering image quality and radiation dose.