Seven general radiography x-ray detectors with pixel sizes ranging from 175 to 76μm: technical evaluation with the...

Aim. Flat panel detectors with small pixel sizes general can potentially improve imaging performance in radiography applications requiring fine detail resolution. This study evaluated the imaging performance of seven detectors, covering a wide range of pixel sizes, in the frame of orthopaedic applications.Material and methods. Pixel sizes ranged from 175 (detector A₁₇₅) to 76μm (detector G₇₆). Modulation transfer function (MTF) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) were measured using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) RQA3 beam quality. Threshold contrast (C_T) and a detectability index (d') were measured at three air kerma/image levels. Rabbit shoulder images acquired at 60 kV, over five air kerma levels, were evaluated in a visual grading study for anatomical sharpness, image noise and overall diagnostic image quality by four radiologists. The detectors were compared to detector E₁₂₄.Results. The 10% point of the MTF ranged from 3.21 to 4.80 mm^-1, in going from detector A₁₇₅to detector G₇₆. DQE(0.5 mm^-1) measured at 2.38μGy/image was 0.50 ± 0.05 for six detectors, but was higher for F₁₀₀at 0.62. High frequency DQE was superior for the smaller pixel detectors, howeverC_Tfor 0.25 mm discs correlated best with DQE(0.5 mm^-1). Correlation betweenC_Tand the detectability model was good (R²= 0.964).C_Tfor 0.25 mm diameter discs was significantly higher for D₁₅₀and F₁₀₀compared to E₁₂₄. The visual grading data revealed higher image quality ratings for detectors D₁₂₅and F₁₀₀compared to E₁₂₄. An increase in air kerma was associated with improved perceived sharpness and overall quality score, independent of detector. Detectors B₁₅₀, D₁₂₅, F₁₀₀and G₇₆, performed well in specific tests, however only F₁₀₀consistently outperformed the reference detector.Conclusion. Pixel size alone was not a reliable predictor of small detail detectability or even perceived sharpness in a visual grading analysis study.