Flat-panel display (LCD) versus high-resolution gray-scale display (CRT) for chest radiography: an observer...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging Technology
• Display Technology

Background:

• Soft-copy interpretation of digital chest radiographs is standard practice.
• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are common display technologies used in medical imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of CRT and LCD monitors for soft-copy viewing of chest radiographs in a clinical environment.
• To evaluate radiologists' preferences for image quality and anatomical landmark visibility between CRT and LCD displays.

Main Methods:

• Eighty digital chest radiographs were displayed side-by-side on 5-megapixel CRT and 3-megapixel LCD monitors, calibrated to DICOM standards.
• Seven radiologists assessed overall image quality and visibility of anatomical structures using a 4-point scale.
• Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon's rank sum test and calculation of inter-reader agreement.

Main Results:

• Significant preferences were observed for CRT displays in visualizing low-attenuation thoracic structures and for LCD displays in high-attenuation areas (p < 0.001).
• Overall image quality was rated equally by at least five radiologists in 70% of cases.
• A significant preference for CRT displays was noted in the remaining images.

Conclusions:

• Under subdued lighting and without windowing, high-resolution CRT and LCD displays offer comparable overall image quality for most chest radiographs.
• LCD displays showed superiority in delineating mediastinal structures, while CRT displays were superior for visualizing lung structures.