American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 160, 483-486, Copyright © 1993 by American Roentgen Ray Society
A new asymmetric screen-film combination for conventional chest radiography: evaluation in 50 patients
SJ Swensen, JE Gray, LR Brown, GL Aughenbaugh, GF Harms and J Stears
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
OBJECTIVE. A new asymmetric screen-film combination for conventional chest
radiography was evaluated by four thoracic radiologists. MATERIALS AND
METHODS. Fifty chest radiographs obtained with a new asymmetric screen-film
combination were compared with radiographs obtained in the same patients
during the same breath-hold with a conventional system. Patients referred
from the oncology service were studied because of the increased prevalence
of abnormal findings on chest radiographs in this population. The
differences in the quality of the images were assessed by four chest
radiologists who used a direct- comparison technique. Eleven anatomic
shadows that are normal on chest radiographs were assessed. Fifty abnormal
findings also were compared. RESULTS. The image quality of the new
asymmetric screen-film combination was judged to be superior to that of the
conventional system for normal anatomy and abnormal findings (p < or =
.003). CONCLUSION. The new asymmetric film consistently showed more
clinically useful detail in the mediastinum and in the lung projected over
the diaphragm and heart. The radiation dose was about 30% less with the new
screen-film system.