Image salvage in panoramic radiography using histogram optimization

Optical density and contrast recovery from poor quality panoramic radiographs was studied using the histogram modification technique. A series of experimental images of varying density and contrast were obtained by exposing a phantom in 4 kV steps between 50 and 94 kV. A standard of good image quality was selected by 10 observers grading the radiographs. Images were processed using the histogram specification technique and re-evaluated. All the processed images were found to be of acceptable quality. This technique was also shown to be applicable for salvaging unacceptable clinical radiographs.