American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 154, 1107-1110, Copyright © 1990 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Evaluation of radiographs developed by a new ultrarapid film processing system
RA Schmidt, K Doi, M Sekiya, XW Xu, ML Giger, CT Lu, S Mojtahedi and H MacMahon
Kurt Rossmann Laboratories for Radiologic Image Research, Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, IL 60637.
The image quality of radiographs developed by a new ultrarapid processor
was evaluated to determine if faster processing causes degradation in the
image. The processor used was the Konica Super-Rapid SRX-501 model. Two
films designed for this processor (Konica MGH-SR and MGL-SR) were processed
in 45 sec and were compared with standard rapid processing in 90 sec of
corresponding conventional films (Kodak TMG and OC). Rare-earth screens
(Kodak Lanex Regular and Lanex Medium) used with the new and conventional
films interleaved during angiographic studies or for phantom images were
assessed for image quality. The basic imaging properties of the screen-film
systems were examined by measuring (1) Hurter and Driffield curves, (2)
modulation transfer functions by using the slit method, and (3) noise
Wiener spectra. Subjective clinical assessment showed that the images
obtained with ultrarapid processing were acceptable, with increased
contrast and graininess. Hurter and Driffield curve measurements confirmed
higher gradients. Modulation transfer function measurements were the same
as for the conventional films. Noise Wiener spectrum measurements showed a
10% increase in noise for MGH-SR vs TMG film and a 30% increase for MGL- SR
vs OC film. We conclude that acceptable image quality can be obtained using
ultrarapid processing, with processing time approximately 60% that of
conventional rapid processing. Potential applications include all areas in
which rapid availability of the radiograph for interpretation is important.
Although the processor studied was the first of its kind available, our
evaluation indicates that the technology is available for a new class of
ultrarapid processors.