[en] Digital imaging techniques such as Digital Image Intensifier Radiography and Digital Storage Phosphor (Selenium) Radiography are replacing conventional film-screen radiography more and more. The aim of this development is the extension of diagnostic capabilities and the reduction of side effects such as radiation dose. Conventional film-screen radiography and digital radiography are very different ways of imaging. For digital radiography specific post-processing is the link between imaging conditions and film documentation. Optimisation of the images includes new possibilities of post-processing and a broad range for variation of the dose. Especially in fluoroscopy, dose can be reduced significantly by new technical features like pulsed fluoroscopy. For digital radiography the European guidelines on quality criteria have to be applied to projection radiography, digital subtraction radiography and to fluoroscopy. Further work should lead to a definition of reference values for the dose and the image quality. This has to be done first for single exposures and fluoroscopic mode and secondly for diagnostic and interventional procedures. (author)

[en] In recent years conventional film-screen radiography has been more and more replaced by digital techniques like 'Digital Image Intensifier Radiography' and 'Digital Storage Phosphor (Selen) Radiography'. These new digital imaging methods can be used for all areas of radiography except mammography. Digital radiography offers the advantage of additional diagnostic information, digital image format, lower radiation risk to the patient and a favourable cost/benefit relation. With digital techniques, dose can be varied over a wide range without losing diagnostic information. Thus, dose can be reduced in comparison to film-screen radiography. Inadequate technique can, in certain applications, however, lead to a significant increase of dose. Therefore, special reference dose values have to be established and controlled continuously. Different possibilities of pre- and post-processing make the evaluation of image quality of digital technique more complex compared with conventional film-screen radiography. New parameters like signal to noise ratio are more appropriate in assessing image quality. However, in daily routine well known parameters like spatial resolution, contrast detectability and dose can be more easily used for the assessment of image quality of the whole imaging chain including image processing and documentation. Special guidelines for digital radiography are necessary to guarantee high image quality and to avoid overexposure and misdiagnoses. These guidelines should be based on the Quality Criteria Concept of the EC. They should include criteria for the detectability of specific anatomic details, technical parameters for good radiographic technique and imaging performance and reference dose values. Assessment of image quality by suitable phantoms and constancy testing are prerequisites for quality assurance. The activities of an European quality criteria working group in the 'Concerted Action Programme' are focused on these subjects. (author)

[en] The abstracts are reproduced of the 66 scientific contributions to the 39th annual meeting of the following three German associations or societies for medical radiology: Vereinigung Suedwestdeutscher Radiologen und Mediziner, Hessische Gesellschaft fuer Medizinische Strahlenkunde, and Thueringische Gesellschaft fuer Radiologie. The topics discussed include: intracerebral hemorrage, image quality and dose, lesions of the space of the disk, diagnostics and therapy of liver tumors, lesions of the knee joint, and free subjects. The 39 posters are reproduced in full. (MG)

[en] Since January 1988, a digital-image-intensifier system has been used for radiographic examinations in the Mannheim Clinic of Heidelberg University. The image-intensifier system consists of a remote-controlled radiographic unit with an image-intensifier diameter of 40 cm and a digital-processing system. To date, 365 examinations of the esophagus, 92 of the stomach and duodenum, and 65 of enteroclysis have been performed. The diagnostic information of digital-image-intensifier radiography has been comparable to that of conventional film radiography, but the examination time has been considerably reduced. The new imaging technique has been well accepted by the clinicians. The main advantages of digital-image-intensifier radiography have been the decrease of radiation dose (up to 90% compared with conventional film radiography) and the reduction of film costs by a factor of 2-3

[en] Digital projection radiography combines fully computerized image data recording with digital image intensification and storage of radiographic data on storage screens. The disadvantage of the expensive equipment required for this technique is set off by the essential improvements offered for the diagnostic radiologist. (orig.)

[en] Digital image recording procedures can be regarded as a valuable addition to the methods used in diagnostic radiology. The shorter duration of the examinations and the lower doses may act to reduce patient exposures. Lack of experience and the choice of inadequate recording parameters can, on the other hand, occasionally have a contrary effect so that the newly developed digital methods are associated with an increased radiation exposure. Unfortunately, the choice of an inadequate dose does not have an immediate effect on the recorded images, as is the case with procedures using films or foils. To avoid unduly high radiation exposures, the doses used should be carefully checked. Our experience to date suggests that the dose-area product may be a suitable parameter for the control of doses from digital image recording procedures. It is the aim of those controls that the dose is kept as low as the diagnostic requirements would permit. (orig.)

[en] To a growing extent radiological image informations are recorded, stored and processed as digital data. For the large field of projection radiography today new digital image recording methods are available (digital image intensifier radiography, storage phosphor radiography). Advantages and disadvantages of these methods, in particular in the examination of the thorax, the gastro-intenstinal tract, and the skeleton, are described here based on own experiences and data from literature. (orig.)

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No abstract available

[en] In the field of radiological research methods, digital imaging is becoming increasingly prevalent. Apart from computerised tomography, magnetic resonance tomography and angiography, also in projection radiography, traditional film/screen imaging is more and more being replaced by digital imaging using digital image-intensifier and storage phosphor technology. Digital imaging offers various new possibilities in image processing, storage and transmission. This may yield additional diagnostic information, dose reduction and fast availability of images. However, an inappropriate parameter selection for imaging and post-processing as well as a lack of integration in the entire organisation may lead to a rejection of this innovative technology. (orig.). With 12 figs