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ARG Goes Digital
Conventional X-ray films are produced by the chemical development of
exposed film. Digital radiography systems produce images by CR or DR
technology. CR systems use a photosensitive phosphor plate that stores a
latent image that is processed into a digital image using a laser beam.
DR
systems produce a digital image like a digital camera. Digital radiography
has many advantages over traditional radiography:
Improved image quality
Digital images have a greater contrast range
than conventional film, improving visualisation of soft tissues and fine
detail, including bone trabeculae and pulmonary lesions (fig. 1).
Digital
tomography removes unwanted, overlying structures to unmask even
more relevant detail (fig. 2). Digital mammography is greatly superior to
conventional film mammography for the detection of disease (fig. 3).
Post
processing of images from the original dual energy acquisition makes lung
and rib lesions more conspicuous, improving diagnostic accuracy (fig. 4).
Lower X-ray dose
Digital systems are much more sensitive than conventional film, producing good images with significantly lower X-ray dose. They also have a much greater dynamic range and so there are fewer repeat examinations for under or overexposure. The greatest benefits are seen in mammography and paediatric imaging.
Shorter examination time
Images are immediately available for checking and reporting. There is no waiting for films to be processed. Images can be sent to referrers electronically as soon as they are on the ARG picture archiving and communications system (PACS).
No film processing chemicals – No Film!
Hard copy of digital images is laser printed with no chemical processing but digital radiography sounds the end of the film era. In future images will be completely electronic.
At present the ARG has DR systems at 101 Remuera Rd, and Northern Clinic with CR at its Howick, Kohimarama, Merton Rd, New Lynn, Papakura, Parnell, Ponsonby, Pukekohe, Queen St, Royal Oak, Takanini and Ti Rakau branches.
All other branches will be converted to CR in 2010. CT, MRI, Ultrasound and Scintigraphy have always been in digital format. |
Fig 1: DR Knee
Fig 2: Digital IVU Tomogram
Fig 3: DR Mammography
(Note Calcifications)
Fig 4: Standard DR Chest (L)
and Bone Detail (R) |
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