Abstract
Mammography and accurate microcalcification detection require very good spatial resolution. We have compared the diagnostic capabilities of reduced-exposure, third-generation, 5 cycles/mm computed radiography (CR) phosphor plates with conventional screen-film in 67 patients. No difference in diagnostic accuracy was detected. The digital characteristics of storage phosphor plates erabled us to study the relationship between contrast and spatial resolution. We developed a computer program to identify a single 100 μm pixel in a digital image and assign various gray levels to that pixel. Using this model, we determined that, for our 5 cycles/mm CR system, the imaged contrast of a 100 μm object was 62% of the original contrast. Current 5 cycles/mm phosphor plate systems cannot adequately detect microcalcifications that approximate 100 μm or smaller unless a magnification technique is used.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kimme-Smith C, Bassett LW, Gold RH, Roe D, Orr J (1987) Mammographic dual-screen-emulsion film combination: visibility of simulated microcalcifications and effect on image contrast. Radiology 165: 313
Stanton L, Day JL, Villafana T, Miller CH, Lightfoot DA (1987) Screen-film mammographic technique for breast cancer screen. Radiology 163: 4719
Sickles EA (1986) Breast calcifications: mammographic evaluation. Radiology 160: 289
Smathers RL, Bush E, Drace J, Stevens M, Sommer FG, et al. (1986) Mammographic microcalcifications: detection with xerography, screen-film, and digitized film display. Radiology 159: 673
Oestmann JW, Kopans DB, Linetsky L, Hall DA, McCarthy KA, et al. (1988) Comparison of two screen-film combinations in contact and magnification mammography: detectability of microcalcifications. Radiology 168: 657
Fandos-Morera A, Prats-Estere M, Tura-Soteras JM, Traveria-Cros A (1988) Breast tumors: composition of microcalcifications. Radiology 169: 325
Yaffe MJ (1990) Physics of mammography: image recording process. Stephen Balter, AAPM Tutorial. Radiographics 10: 341
Sonoda M, Takano M, Miyabara J, Kato H (1983) Computed radiography utilizing scanning laser-stimulated luminescence. Radiology 148: 833
Blume H (1987) Stimulable phosphor systems — technical aspects. In: Peppler WW, Alter A (eds) Proceedings of chest imaging conference '87. Medical Physics Publishing, Madison, Wisconsin, pp 194–207
Fujita H, Ueda K, Junji M, Rujikawa T, Ohtsoka A, Sai T (1989) Basic imaging properties of a computed radiographic system with photostimulable phosphors. Med Phys 16: 52
Tateno Y, Iinuma T, Takano M (1987) Computed radiography. Springer, Tokyo
Blume H, Kamiya K (1987) Auto-ranging and normalization versus histogram modifications for automatic image processing of digital radiographs. Proc SPIE Medical Imaging 767: 371
Murphey MD (1989) Digital skeletal radiography: spatial resolution requirements for detection of subperiosteal resorption. Am J Roentgenol 152: 541
Murphey MD, Bramble JM, Cook LT, et al. (1990) Nondisplaced fractures: spatial resolution requirements for detection with digital skeletal imaging. Radiology 174: 865
Cox GG, Cook LT, McMillan JH, et al. (1990) Chest radiography: comparison of high-resolution digital displays with conventional and digital film. Radiology 176: 771
Kimme-Smith C, Bassett LW, Gold RH, Gormley L (1989) Digital mammography a comparison of two digitization methods. Invest Radiol 24: 869
Metz CE (1986) ROC methodology in radiology imaging. Invest Radiol 21: 720
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: C. H. J. Chang
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chang, C.H.J., Martin, N.L., Templeton, A.W. et al. Phosphor plate mammography: contrast studies and clinical experience. Eur. Radiol. 2, 483–487 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176358
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176358