Search

Objectives: To analyze the differences in cusp height on radiographs, establishing proportional relationships between cusp and alveolar bone crest (ABC) measurements. The goal of this study was to develop a correction coefficient by considering this proportion. Materials and methods: Twenty-one artificial teeth, molars and premolars, and bovine ribs were used. Interproximal radiographs were taken with the aid of a positioner. The vertical angles used were: 0°, + 5°, and + 10°, and processed using three spatial resolutions measured in line pairs per mm (lp/mm): 20, 25 and 40. The Perio filter was applied to each image, in addition to the original one. Combinations of angle, resolution, and filter were made. Eighteen images were analyzed by three specialists, resulting in 252 measurements for each evaluator, totaling 756 measurements. Results: The overall variability of the measurements can be explained mainly by the variation in tooth anatomy. The 0° 25 lp/mm Perio filter method was the closest one to the actual clinical scenario for both cusps and ABC. The correction factor managed to explain 71.45% of the errors. Conclusions: The variation in vertical angulation interferes with cusp and ABC measurements, and the angulation at 0º and spatial resolution of 25 lp/mm showed better results. The use of correction coefficients allowed approaching actual measurement values. Clinical relevance: More accurate ABC height measurements are essential even in radiographic exams that do not meet the standard of excellence because the need to repeat radiographic exams is then eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This guideline has been prepared by the ACPSEM to provide a standardised quality assurance program to be used within General X-ray imaging environments. The guideline includes the responsibilities of various multidisciplinary team members within medical imaging facilities. It must be noted that the listed tests and testing frequencies are not intended to replace or become regulatory requirements. Implementing a quality assurance program as outlined in this position paper is there to ensure best practice for imaging facilities by providing a framework to establish and monitor correct equipment performance. The current document has been produced through an extensive review of current international practices and local experience within the Australasian healthcare environment. Due to the constant evolution of digital radiographic equipment, there is no current consensus in international quality assurance guidelines as they continue to be adapted and updated. This document describes the current state of the use of digital General X-ray equipment in the Australasian environment and provides recommendations of test procedures that may be best suited for the current medical imaging climate in Australasia. Due to the everchanging developments in the medical imaging environment and the ability of new technologies to perform more complex tasks it is believed that in the future this document will be further reviewed in the hopes of producing a more globally agreed upon standard quality assurance program. Any such adjustments that are deemed to be necessary to Version 1.0 of this document will be provided in electronic format on the ACPSEM website with a notification to all parties involved in the use of digital General X-ray equipment. This guideline does not provide detailed methodologies for all the quality control tests recommended as it is it is expected that the professionals implementing aspects of this quality assurance program have the working knowledge and access to appropriate resources to develop testing methodologies appropriate for their local imaging environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In radiography procedures, radiographers’ suboptimal positioning and exposure parameter settings may necessitate image retakes, subjecting patients to unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure. Reducing retakes is crucial to minimize patient X-ray exposure and conserve medical resources. We propose a Digital Radiography (DR) Pre-imaging All-round Assistant (PIAA) that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to enhance traditional DR. PIAA consists of an RGB-Depth (RGB-D) multi-camera array, an embedded computing platform, and multiple software components. It features an Adaptive RGB-D Image Acquisition (ARDIA) module that automatically selects the appropriate RGB camera based on the distance between the cameras and patients. It includes a 2.5D Selective Skeletal Keypoints Estimation (2.5D-SSKE) module that fuses depth information with 2D keypoints to estimate the pose of target body parts. Thirdly, it also uses a Domain expertise (DE) embedded Full-body Exposure Parameter Estimation (DFEPE) module that combines 2.5D-SSKE and DE to accurately estimate parameters for full-body DR views. Optimizes DR workflow, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. The average time required for positioning patients and preparing exposure parameters was reduced from 73 seconds to 8 seconds. PIAA shows significant promise for extension to full-body examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Distances and angles measured from long-leg radiographs (LLR) are important for surgical decision-making. However, projectional radiography suffers from distortion, potentially generating differences between measurement and true anatomical dimension. These phenomena are not uniform between conventional radiography (CR) digital radiography (DR) and fan-beam technology (EOS). We aimed to identify differences between these modalities in an experimental setup. Materials and methods: A hemiskeleton was stabilized using an external fixator in neutral, valgus and varus knee alignment. Ten images were acquired for each alignment and each modality: one CR setup, two different DR systems, and an EOS. A total of 1680 measurements were acquired and analyzed. Results: We observed great differences for dimensions and angles between the 4 modalities. Femoral head diameter measurements varied in the range of > 5 mm depending on the modality, with EOS being the closest to the true anatomical dimension. With functional leg length, a difference of 8.7% was observed between CR and EOS and with the EOS system being precise in the vertical dimension on physical-technical grounds, this demonstrates significant projectional magnification with CR-LLR. The horizontal distance between the medial malleoli varied by 20 mm between CR and DR, equating to 21% of the mean. Conclusions: Projectional distortion resulting in variations approaching 21% of the mean indicate, that our confidence on measurements from standing LLR may not be justified. It appears likely that among the tested equipment, EOS-generated images are closest to the true anatomical situation most of the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate a new deep-learning model for diagnosing avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) by analyzing pelvic anteroposterior digital radiography. Methods The study sample included 1167 hips. The radiographs were independently classified into 6 stages by a radiologist using their simultaneous MRIs. After that, the radiographs were given to train and test the deep learning models of the project including SVM and ANFIS layer using the Python programming language and TensorFlow library. In the last step, the test set of hip radiographs was provided to two independent radiologists with different work experiences to compare their diagnosis performance to the deep learning models’ performance using the F1 score and Mcnemar test analysis. Results The performance of SVM for AVNFH detection (AUC = 82.88%) was slightly higher than less experienced radiologists (79.68%) and slightly lower than experienced radiologists (88.4%) without reaching significance (p-value > 0.05). Evaluation of the performance of SVM for pre-collapse AVNFH detection with an AUC of 73.58% showed significantly higher performance than less experienced radiologists (AUC = 60.70%, p-value

Abstract The traditional methods in early caries detection had many limitations. So, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of alternating current impedance spectroscopy ACIST in comparison with digital radiograph and ICDAS-II in detection of occlusal carious lesions. Occlusal surfaces of molar and premolar teeth from 40 adult participants were examined by two observers using three diagnostic methods: (1) international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS-II) (2) digital radiograph (DR) and (3) Cariescan Pro device (ACIST). Agreement analysis and the difference in sensitivities and specificities were evaluated. The results showed an excellent agreement in the different groups. The difference from the visual tactile against ACIST scoring for enamel caries detection, was statistically significant (p = 0.012) and the agreement was moderate (k = 0.509). For dentinal caries the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) and the agreement was similarly moderate (k

Background: Dental radiography is an integral part of intraoral evaluation. Children are often uncomfortable during the placement of film or sensor due to the impingement of the soft tissues. Thus, the perception of pain with three intraoral radiographic methods in children was evaluated using three subjective pain rating scales. Aim: To evaluate the discomfort with three different techniques, that is, intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiograph, charge-coupled device (CCD), and photostimulable phosphor (PSP) luminescence (PSPL), using the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS), numerical rating scale, and visual analog scale (VAS). Materials and Methods: A sample of 35 children aged 6–12 years were divided into two groups: group 1 (6–8 years) and group 2 (9–12 years). For each child, simulations of the three radiological methods (IOPA, CCD, and PSPL) were performed. The meaning of each facial expression on the WBFPRS, VAS, and the numbers on the numerical rating scale was explained to each child before the procedure. Statistical Analysis Used: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and paired-samples t-test are used. Results: The results revealed that the CCD sensors elicited higher pain scores than those obtained with IOPA and PSPL, whereas the IOPA film showed the least pain score. Higher score values were obtained in group 1 than in group 2, indicating that children aged 6–8 years felt higher discomfort than the 9- to 12-year age group for the same procedure. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that conventional IOPA films were tolerated better by children when compared to PSP plates and CCD sensors.

ObjectiveTo investigate the entrance surface dose （ESD） of digital radiography （DR）adult examinees in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai， to analyze the dose level of the DR adult examinees， and to provide data for the development of DR typical dose reference.MethodsA DR equipment in the hospital was selected and the irradiation parameters and dose were determined in two randomly selected age groups （15‒39 years and 40‒69 years） of DR adult examinees. The examinations included chest PA， chest LAT， abdominal AP， pelvic AP， lumbar AP， lumbar LAT， thoracic AP， and thoracic LAT. The number of examinees in each exposure position was 20. ESD and effective dose were calculated for each age group and each position.ResultsA total of 320 examinees were investigated. The 75th percentiles of ESD in different exposure positions were as follows： chest PA 0.19 mGy；chest LAT 0.96 mGy；abdominal AP 3.63 mGy；pelvic AP 3.16 mGy；lumbar AP 9.27 mGy；lumbar LAT 18.29 mGy；thoracic AP 6.85 mGy；and thoracic LAT 13.40 mGy.ConclusionsThe differences between the estimated ESD and effective dose were large in different exposure positions、in the same exposure positions、and in the same positions with different exposure types， and there were statistically significant differences in ESD of examinees with different exposure positions. The estimated typical values of different exposure positions were apparently lower than the diagnostic reference level.

The traditional methods in early caries detection had many limitations. So, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of alternating current impedance spectroscopy ACIST in comparison with digital radiograph and ICDAS-II in detection of occlusal carious lesions. Occlusal surfaces of molar and premolar teeth from 40 adult participants were examined by two observers using three diagnostic methods: (1) international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS-II) (2) digital radiograph (DR) and (3) Cariescan Pro device (ACIST). Agreement analysis and the difference in sensitivities and specificities were evaluated. The results showed an excellent agreement in the different groups. The difference from the visual tactile against ACIST scoring for enamel caries detection, was statistically significant (p = 0.012) and the agreement was moderate (k = 0.509). For dentinal caries the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) and the agreement was similarly moderate (k < 0.6). The difference from the digital radiograph against ACIST scoring, for enamel caries, digital radiography had significantly higher sensitivity and specificity than ACIST (p < 0.001) while for dentinal caries detection and overall, ACIST had higher sensitivity and digital radiography had higher specificity and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Visual-tactile examination is a considered as feasible and valid technique for occlusal caries detection, digital radiography is superior to ACIST in diagnosing enamel caries, but it could underestimate the caries depth, ACIST is a reliable tool for detecting occlusal caries in dentin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate a new deep-learning model for diagnosing avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) by analyzing pelvic anteroposterior digital radiography. Methods: The study sample included 1167 hips. The radiographs were independently classified into 6 stages by a radiologist using their simultaneous MRIs. After that, the radiographs were given to train and test the deep learning models of the project including SVM and ANFIS layer using the Python programming language and TensorFlow library. In the last step, the test set of hip radiographs was provided to two independent radiologists with different work experiences to compare their diagnosis performance to the deep learning models' performance using the F1 score and Mcnemar test analysis. Results: The performance of SVM for AVNFH detection (AUC = 82.88%) was slightly higher than less experienced radiologists (79.68%) and slightly lower than experienced radiologists (88.4%) without reaching significance (p-value > 0.05). Evaluation of the performance of SVM for pre-collapse AVNFH detection with an AUC of 73.58% showed significantly higher performance than less experienced radiologists (AUC = 60.70%, p-value < 0.001). On the other hand, no significant difference is noted between experienced radiologists and SVM for pre-collapse detection. ANFIS algorithm for AVNFH detection with an AUC of 86.60% showed significantly higher performance than less experienced radiologists (AUC = 79.68%, p-value = 0.04). Although reaching less performance compared to experienced radiologists statistically not significant (AUC = 88.40%, p-value = 0.20). Conclusions: Our study has shed light on the remarkable capabilities of SVM and ANFIS as diagnostic tools for AVNFH detection in radiography. Their ability to achieve high accuracy with remarkable efficiency makes them promising candidates for early detection and intervention, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many new technologies are being used in dentistry, enhancing and accelerating dental procedures. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and coherent understanding of the extent of technology use and the factors influencing its adoption in any specific society. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of digital technology use among dentists in Zahedan, Iran, in 2023. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, ninety-three dentists working in Zahedan city were investigated. Simple random sampling was used to select participants, and a questionnaire was administered that included sections on demographic information (gender, experience, workplace, level of degree, level of education), administrative and communicative aspects (4 questions), clinical and diagnostic aspects (9 questions), and reasons for not using certain technologies. The validity of the questionnaire was 100%, and the reliability was 0.8. Data analysis was performed using frequency analysis and comparisons between groups, which were conducted using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. A P-value of less than 0.05 (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. Results: The usage rate of digital technologies among dentists in Zahedan was 60.2% low, 35.5% moderate, and 4.3% high. There was a significant relationship between the use of digital technologies and factors such as gender (P < 0.001), workplace (P < 0.001), experience (P < 0.006), and level of education (P < 0.002). However, no significant relationship was found between digital technology use and the level of degree. Digital radiography was the most commonly used technology, with a usage rate of 74.3%. The most frequently used administrative and communicative technology was the "use of communication program or software with other centers," at 49.9%. The majority of digital technologies began to be adopted from 2019 onwards. The main reason for not using administrative and communicative technologies was "inaccessibility," while the primary reason for not using clinical and diagnostic technologies was deemed "unnecessary use." Conclusions: The use of digital technologies by dentists in Zahedan was found to be low. Given the limited adoption of digital technologies in dentistry, it is essential to provide more training for dentists and to facilitate better access to these technologies in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical imaging techniques such as digital radiography and ultrasonography are non‐invasive and provide precise results for examining internal organs and structures within fish. Their effectiveness can be further enhanced by using body parts like scales as markers for the organs beneath them. This study utilized the number of scales as landmarks in digital radiography and ultrasonography to non‐invasively evaluate the muscles, bones, and images of internal and reproductive organs of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Digital radiography was performed in the dorsoventral and lateral views of the fish, whereas ultrasonography was conducted in longitudinal and transverse views on sequence scale numbers with brightness and colour Doppler‐modes. Digital radiography of the common carp revealed the whole‐body morphology, including the bony parts from the head, pectoral fins, dorsal fins, pelvic fins, anal fins, and vertebrae to the tail that appeared radiopaque. Internal organs were also observed, with the swim bladder and heart appeared radiolucent, while the intestines, liver, testes, and ovaries appeared radiopaque. Ultrasonography in brightness mode displayed the digestive organs, reproductive organs, and muscle thickness. Additionally, colour Doppler mode demonstrated blood flow within the heart's ventricle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent virtual and AI-based collimation functionalities have the potential to enable an efficient workflow for radiographers, but the specific impact on clinical routines is still unknown. This study analyzes primarily the influence of intelligent collimation functionalities on the examination time and the number of needed interactions with the radiography system. An observational study was conducted on the use of three camera-based intelligent features at five clinical sites in Europe and the USA: AI-based auto thorax collimation (ATC), smart virtual ortho (SVO) collimation for stitched long-leg and full-spine examinations, and virtual collimation (VC) at the radiography system workstation. Two people conducted semi-structured observations during routine examinations to collect data with the functionalities either activated or deactivated. Median exam duration was 31 vs. 45 s (p < 0.0001) for 95 thorax examinations with ATC and 94 without ATC. For stitched orthopedic examinations, 34 were performed with SVO and 40 without SVO, and the median exam duration was 62 vs. 82 s (p < 0.0001). The median time for setting the ortho range – i.e., the time between setting the upper and the lower limits of the collimation field – was 7 vs. 16 s for 39 examinations with SVO and 43 without SVO (p < 0.0001). In 109 thorax examinations with ATC and 112 without ATC, the median number of system interactions was 1 vs. 2 (p < 0.0001). VC was used to collimate in 2.4% and to check the collimation field in 68.5% of 292 observed chest and other examinations. ATC and SVO enable the radiographer to save time during chest or stitched examinations. Additionally, ATC reduces machine interactions during chest examinations. System and artificial intelligence can support the radiographer during the image acquisition by providing a more efficient workflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusions Reject analysis in digital radiography helps guide the training of staff to reduce patient radiation dose and improve department efficiency. The purpose of this study was to perform a multi‐centre, vendor agnostic reject analysis across different room usage types, and to provide benchmarks for comparison.Retrospective reject and exposure log data were collected via USB from fixed general X‐ray systems across multiple Australian sites, for collation and analysis. The overall reject rate, local reject reference level, absolute and relative reject rates for body part categories, reject rates by room usage types and the reject rate for each reason of rejection were calculated.Data were collected from 44 X‐ray systems, across 11 hospitals. A total of 2,031,713 acquired images and 172,495 rejected images were included. The median reject rate was 9.1%. The local reject reference level (LRRL), set as the 75th percentile of all reject rates, was 10.6%. Median reject rates by room type were emergency (7.4%), inpatients + outpatients (9.6%), outpatients (9.2%), and hybrid (10.1%). The highest absolute reject rates by body part were chest (2.1%) and knee (1.4%). The highest relative rates by body part were knee (18.1%) and pelvis (17.2%). The most frequent reasons for image rejection were patient positioning (76%) and patient motion (7.5%).The results compare well with previously published data. The range of reject rates highlights the need to analyse typical reject rates in different ways. With analysis feedback to participating sites and the implementation of standardised reject reasons, future analysis should monitor whether reject rates reduce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We proposed a new deep learning (DL) model for accurate scatter correction in digital radiography. The proposed network featured a pixel-wise water equivalent path length (WEPL) map of subjects with diverse sizes and 3D inner structures. The proposed U-Net model comprises two concatenated modules: one for generating a WEPL map and the other for predicting scatter using the WEPL map as auxiliary information. First, 3D CT images were used as numerical phantoms for training and validation, generating observed and scattered images by Monte Carlo simulation, and WEPL maps using Siddon's algorithm. Then, we optimised the model without overfitting. Next, we validated the proposed model's performance by comparing it with other DL models. The proposed model obtained scatter-corrected images with a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 44.24 ± 2.89 dB and a structural similarity index measure of 0.9987 ± 0.0004, which were higher than other DL models. Finally, scatter fractions (SFs) were compared with other DL models using an actual phantom to confirm practicality. Among DL models, the proposed model showed the smallest deviation from measured SF values. Furthermore, using an actual radiograph containing an acrylic object, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the proposed model and the anti-scatter grid were compared. The CNR of the images corrected using the proposed model are 16% and 82% higher than those of the raw and grid-applied images, respectively. The advantage of the proposed method is that no actual radiography system is required for collecting training dataset, as the dataset is created from CT images using Monte Carlo simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Radiographs are an integral part of detecting proximal caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of contrast, brightness, noise, sharpness, and γ adjustment of digital intraoral radiographs on the diagnosis of proximal caries. Materials and methods: In this in vitro study, 40 extracted teeth including 20 premolars and 20 molars with enamel lesions (white spot or dentin discoloration seen through the enamel) were mounted together in groups of eight inside the skull. Bitewing radiographic images of each dental group were obtained by a photostimulable phosphor plate sensor with exposure conditions of 8 mA, 70 kV, and 0.2 s. The images were reconstructed by the built‐in software and examined by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists in various settings of contrast, brightness, sharpness, noise, and γ. The teeth were then cut mesiodistally and the presence or absence of caries was confirmed by an oral and maxillofacial pathologist using a stereomicroscope. The data were then analyzed using the κ agreement coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (α =.05). Results: Adjustment of brightness and contrast led to higher diagnostic performance with an accuracy of 82.5% and 83.8 (for observers 1 and 2, respectively) and 82.5% (for both observers), respectively. Noise adjustment was the least helpful approach for diagnosis of proximal dental caries among other adjustments, with an accuracy of 78.8% and 77.5% for observers 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusion: Brightness and contrast setting was more efficient in improving the diagnostic potential of bitewing radiographs compared to other adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-rays have motivated the application of imaging techniques in Heritage Sciences, providing a tool that produces global information about the object. The radiography analysis generates information with physical meaning relating the material properties with the photon attenuation. In this work, the characterization of a digital radiography system is presented, and the basis of an analysis method for ceramics sherds is described, based on the study of histograms, which represent the distribution of pixel intensities that made the image. Thus, this study aims to provide a tool, based on a mathematical analysis, encompassing a Lorentzian fit to each image histogram and a cluster analysis, that leads to establish a contrast between ceramic pastes. By applying this method, we could distinguish six paste groups from a set of 275 ceramic objects (archaeological and contemporary) from the Maya region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model of radiation transparencies in the computational implementation of the dual energy method based on analog discrimination of the initial signals is presented. The generalized mathematical model of radiation transparencies in the analyzed implementation of the dual energy method is based on an analog separation of initial electrical signals from an X-ray detector by amplitude into low- and high-energy signals with subsequent counting of these signals. The analog separation of X-ray detector output signals by amplitude is carried out using a two-channel amplitude analyzer. The proposed model takes into account the maximum energy of X-ray photons, the energy threshold for dividing signals into low- and high-energy ones, materials and sizes of radiation-sensitive detector elements, and parameters of test objects. The model can be used to conduct research on the effect of noise caused by the quantum nature of X-ray radiation on the quality of identification of attenuating material, for example, by effective atomic number, in relation to the considered implementation of the dual energy method, as well as for the reasonable choice of parameters of the corresponding dual energy systems of digital radiography and X-ray computed tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a fully automated deep-learning (DL) model using digital radiography (DR) with relatively high accuracy for predicting the efficacy of non-vascularized fibular grafting (NVFG) and identifying suitable patients for this procedure. A retrospective analysis was conducted on osteonecrosis of femoral head patients who underwent NVFG between June 2009 and June 2021. All patients underwent standard preoperative anteroposterior (AP) and frog-lateral (FL) DR. Subsequently, the radiographs were pre-processed and labeled based on the follow-up results. The dataset was randomly divided into training and testing datasets. The DL-based prediction model was developed in the training dataset and its diagnostic performance was evaluated using the testing dataset. A total of 339 patients with 432 hips were included in this study, with a hip preservation success rate of 71.52% as of June 2023. The hips were randomly divided into a training dataset (n = 324) and a testing dataset (n = 108). The ensemble model in predicting the efficacy of NVFG, reaching an accuracy of 78.9%, a precision of 78.7%, a recall of 96.0%, a F1-score of 86.5%, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.780. FL views (AUC, 0.71) exhibited better performance compared to AP views (AUC, 0.66). The proposed DL model using DR enables automatic and efficient prediction of NVFG efficacy without additional clinical and financial burden. It can be seamlessly integrated into various clinical scenarios, serving as a practical tool to identify suitable patients for NVFG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiographic testing is the most common method of non-destructive testing to detect discontinuities in industrial piping welds. Human interpretation of radiographic films is time-consuming and requires high degrees of expertise. Despite the significant advancements of deep learning techniques in related fields, such as medical radiography, prior research endeavors focused on weld discontinuities were constrained by the limitations stemming from a lack of training data and their inadequate representation of real-world conditions in the field. This paper introduces a comprehensive system that automatically detects welding zones, assesses film quality, and classifies weld discontinuities for the piping process. The proposed framework demonstrates superior generalization capabilities that bypass a single industry or piping size. The key advantages of our technique lie in its enhanced accuracy, rapid processing, and automatic interpretation of welding films across a wide range of image qualities. Consequently, it achieves remarkable detection and classification accuracy, offering substantial benefits for welding inspection and quality assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the impact of digital image post‐processing algorithms on various image quality (IQ) metrics of radiographic images under different exposure conditions. Methods: A custom‐made phantom constructed according to the instructions given in the IAEA Human Health Series No.39 publication was used, along with the respective software that automatically calculates various IQ metrics. Images with various exposure parameters were acquired with a digital radiography unit, which for each acquisition produces two images: one for‐processing (raw) and one for‐presentation (clinical). Various examination protocols were used, which incorporate diverse post‐processing algorithms. The IQ metrics' values (IQ‐scores) obtained were analyzed to investigate the effects of increasing incident air kerma (IAK) on the image receptor, tube potential (kVp), additional filtration, and examination protocol on image quality, and the differences between image type (raw or clinical). Results: The IQ‐scores were consistent for repeated identical exposures for both raw and clinical images. The effect that changes in exposure parameters and examination protocol had on IQ‐scores were different depending on the IQ metric and image type. The expected positive effect that increasing IAK and decreasing tube potential should have on IQ was clearly exhibited in two IQ metrics only, the signal difference‐to‐noise‐ratio (SDNR) and the detectability index (d'), for both image types. No effect of additional filtration on any of the IQ metrics was detected on images of either type. An interesting finding of the study was that for all different image acquisition selections the d' scores were larger in raw images, whereas the other IQ metrics were larger in clinical images for most of the cases. Conclusions: Since IQ‐scores of raw and their respective clinical images may be largely different, the same type of image should be consistently used for monitoring IQ constancy and when results from different X‐ray systems are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 10 Kilovoltage (kV) rule was a historic exposure adaption technique designed for film screen X-ray imaging to reduce ionising radiation dose without loss of image quality. This study evaluates knee X-ray radiation dose and image quality between standard patient exposure factors, the historic 10 kV rule (−50 % Milliampere-second (mAs), and a modified 10 kV rule (−75 % mAs) using a digital radiography (DR) system. Applying the exposure factors of 63 kV and 8 mAs (standard pre-set exposure), 73 kV and 4 mAs (historic 10 kV rule) and 73 kV and 2 mAs (modified 10 kV) to a phantom knee and recording entrance skin dose (ESD) using thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs). The ESD was analysed with a t -test. The image quality was assessed using a Likert 5-point Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) by (n = 3) independent observers. The ESD data was analysed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for differences between the techniques. The ESD reduction for the historic 10 kV rule was 32.1–33.7 % (20.9 μGy; p = 0.00), and the modified 10 kV rule 81.5–81.8 % (42.1–43.7 μGy; p = 0.00) compared to the standard pre-set exposure technique. The historic and modified 10 kV exposure parameters image quality for the AP views knee X-rays scored higher (p = 0.00) than the standard preset exposure images. The VGA for the lateral knee view using the historic (−0.1 VGA; p = 0.02) and the modified 10 kV (−0.3 VGA; p = 0.00) were slightly lower than the standard preset image quality, related to the trabeculae pattern and cortical outlines. The findings suggest dose reductions could be made by modifying the exposure factors without reducing the quality of diagnostic images in the AP Knee position. The findings for the lateral knee X-rays indicate the image quality scored lower but was still within diagnostic range. Further research is required in laboratory conditions of exposure adaptations over a larger sample of anatomy thickness and applying a wider exposure (kV) range. One of a radiographer's many roles are to optimise techniques to improve image quality of anatomy and reduce the radiation dose to the patient. The findings have shown there is potential for further research using the modified 10 kV rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous improvement of broiler production performance, the frequent occurrence of leg problems has caused serious economic losses in many factories. In order to more efficiently detect and prevent broiler leg diseases, we propose an auxiliary detection system for broiler leg diseases based on deep learning. The system is divided into two parts. First, a digital radiography (DR) image of a broiler is taken through industrial computed tomography (CT), and then the improved deep-learning network Tibia-YOLO is used to detect the tibia; the detected results are then extracted and measured. Our improved Tibia-YOLO network uses the Content-Aware ReAssembly of Features (CARAFE) upsampling operator to avoid checkerboard artifacts and increase the generalization capabilities. Efficient multi-scale attention (EMA) and parallel network attention (ParNet) were added to the Tibia dataset at multiple scales (COCO2016), and there were improvements when testing on the three VOC2012 datasets. The mean average precision of tibia detection reached 90.8%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) for the tibia length was 3.37 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Radiographs are an integral part of detecting proximal caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of contrast, brightness, noise, sharpness, and γ adjustment of digital intraoral radiographs on the diagnosis of proximal caries. Materials and methods In this in vitro study, 40 extracted teeth including 20 premolars and 20 molars with enamel lesions (white spot or dentin discoloration seen through the enamel) were mounted together in groups of eight inside the skull. Bitewing radiographic images of each dental group were obtained by a photostimulable phosphor plate sensor with exposure conditions of 8 mA, 70 kV, and 0.2 s. The images were reconstructed by the built‐in software and examined by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists in various settings of contrast, brightness, sharpness, noise, and γ. The teeth were then cut mesiodistally and the presence or absence of caries was confirmed by an oral and maxillofacial pathologist using a stereomicroscope. The data were then analyzed using the κ agreement coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (α = .05). Results Adjustment of brightness and contrast led to higher diagnostic performance with an accuracy of 82.5% and 83.8 (for observers 1 and 2, respectively) and 82.5% (for both observers), respectively. Noise adjustment was the least helpful approach for diagnosis of proximal dental caries among other adjustments, with an accuracy of 78.8% and 77.5% for observers 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusion Brightness and contrast setting was more efficient in improving the diagnostic potential of bitewing radiographs compared to other adjustments.

Imaging of the cervical spine in general radiography is most frequently performed using an anti-scatter grid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a gridless setting on image quality and radiation dose during digital radiography of the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) cervical spine. A phantom study was performed with a variety of tube voltages (63–75 kV) with and without an anti-scatter grid. The tube current time product (mAs) and dose area product (DAP) were recorded and used to calculate effective dose (ED) and individual organ dose using PCXMC 2.0 software, as well as entrance surface dose (ESD) and objective image quality: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Subjective visual image quality grading characteristics (VGC) was performed by five qualified radiographers. In a gridless setting, the AP and LAT positions showed significantly lower DAP (1.6 μGym2; 61.3 % and 1.6 μGym2; 51.2%), ESD (27.6 μGy; 57.3% and 77.2 μGy; 47.2%) and ED (4.2 μSv; 61.3% and 2.3 μSv; 48.9%). In a gridless setting in the AP position, there is a slight significant deterioration in image quality. In the lateral projection, on the other hand, the image quality without the use of grid was only significantly reduced in three of six criteria and there was no difference in the objective image quality between the two settings examined. The results of this study show that gridless setting significantly decreases radiation dose and image quality, but the quality in the lateral projection is still acceptable for diagnostic purpose. The protocol without the use of the anti-scatter grid in cervical spine radiography leads to a reduction in the radiation dose in both projections, but the image quality in the AP is significantly reduced for all criteria examined, with a slight deterioration in image quality in the lateral projection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object: The purpose of this study was to explore a machine learning-based residual networks (ResNets) model to detect atrial septal defect (ASD) on chest radiographs. Methods: This retrospective study included chest radiographs consecutively collected at our hospital from June 2017 to May 2022. Qualified chest radiographs were obtained from patients who had finished echocardiography. These chest radiographs were labeled as positive or negative for ASD based on the echocardiographic reports and were divided into training, validation, and test dataset. Six ResNets models were employed to examine and compare by using the training dataset and was tuned using the validation dataset. The area under the curve, recall, precision and F1-score were taken as the evaluation metrics for classification result in the test dataset. Visualizing regions of interest for the ResNets models using heat maps. Results: This study included a total of 2105 chest radiographs of children with ASD (mean age 4.14 ± 2.73 years, 54% male), patients were randomly assigned to training, validation, and test dataset with an 8:1:1 ratio. Healthy children's images were supplemented to three datasets in a 1:1 ratio with ASD patients. Following the training, ResNet-10t and ResNet-18D have a better estimation performance, with precision, recall, accuracy, F1-score, and the area under the curve being (0.92, 0.93), (0.91, 0.91), (0.90, 0.90), (0.91, 0.91) and (0.97, 0.96), respectively. Compared to ResNet-18D, ResNet-10t was more focused on the distribution of the heat map of the interest region for most chest radiographs from ASD patients. Conclusion: The ResNets model is feasible for identifying ASD through children's chest radiographs. ResNet-10t stands out as the preferable estimation model, providing exceptional performance and clear interpretability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental radiography is an integral part of intraoral evaluation. Children are often uncomfortable during the placement of film or sensor due to the impingement of the soft tissues. Thus, the perception of pain with three intraoral radiographic methods in children was evaluated using three subjective pain rating scales. Aim: To evaluate the discomfort with three different techniques, that is, intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiograph, charge-coupled device (CCD), and photostimulable phosphor (PSP) luminescence (PSPL), using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS), numerical rating scale, and visual analog scale (VAS). Materials and Methods: A sample of 35 children aged 6-12 years were divided into two groups: group 1 (6-8 years) and group 2 (9-12 years). For each child, simulations of the three radiological methods (IOPA, CCD, and PSPL) were performed. The meaning of each facial expression on the WBFPRS, VAS, and the numbers on the numerical rating scale was explained to each child before the procedure. Statistical Analysis Used: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and paired-samples t-test are used. Results: The results revealed that the CCD sensors elicited higher pain scores than those obtained with IOPA and PSPL, whereas the IOPA film showed the least pain score. Higher score values were obtained in group 1 than in group 2, indicating that children aged 6-8 years felt higher discomfort than the 9- to 12-year age group for the same procedure. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that conventional IOPA films were tolerated better by children when compared to PSP plates and CCD sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Digital radiography has been used to evaluate the progress of bone growth with a collagen-hydroxyapatite implant in rabbit tibias. This study aimed to introduce digital radiography methods that provide comprehensive data availability for continuous information retrieval from the implant preparation to the cultivation period. METHODS 38 digital radiographs were divided into 3 treatment groups, namely a single defect without implant (control), single-implant, and three-implant. Radiographic acquisitions were performed at preparation time and post-implantation from 0 to 56 days. Observations were concentrated on the implantation site, followed by creating a lateral profile. The prediction of implantation growth was determined using relative bone density (RBD) percentage. RESULTS Based on the profile, the recovery process consisted of implant absorption and new bone tissue deposition. The absorption process was highly influenced by the defect size. In the control and single-implant groups, regardless of the different recovery processes, similar recovery results were observed 56 days post-implantation, with an RBD value of approximately 90%. Meanwhile, the three-implant group only had an RBD value of 62%. CONCLUSIONS Radiography can evaluate absorption and new bone growth during implantation in New Zealand white rabbits. Radiographs, which can be obtained at any time during cultivation, offered more information on the recovery implantation process than the other method that relies on data obtained after sacrificing the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the application value of pulmonary color Doppler ultrasound in the clinical treatment of pediatric pneumonia.Methods A total of 80 children with pneumonia admitted to the hospital from June 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the research objects.According to the imaging examination during hospitalization, the children were divided into the ultrasound group（44 cases） and the X-ray group（36 cases）,and the two groups were given budesonide atomization inhalation treatment at the same time.Taking the final clinical diagnosis as the “gold standard”,the diagnostic results, clinical efficacy, the disappearance time of clinical symptoms, the length of hospital stay, and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the detection rate of pneumonia between the ultrasound group[72.72%（32/44）] and the X-ray group [55.56%（20/36）]（P＞0.05）.The diagnostic accuracy（90.91%） and sensitivity（93.75%） of pulmonary ultrasound were significantly higher than those of the X-ray group（61.11%,60.00%）,and the differences were statistically significant（P＜0.01）.However, the specificity of ultrasound group（83.33%） was not significantly different from that of X-ray group（66.67%）（P＞0.05）.The total effective rate of the ultrasound group（81.81%） was better than that of the X-ray group（61.11%）,and the difference was statistically significant（P＜0.05）.The disappearance time of cough[（4.69±0.79）d],lung rales[（4.28±0.69）d] and fever[（1.78±0.95）d] in the ultrasound group were compared with those in the X-ray group[（5.63±1.07）,（4.93±0.73）,（2.83±1.20）d],and the differences were statistically significant（P＜0.01）.There was no statistical significance in the length of hospital stay between the two groups[（7.02±1.19）d vs.（7.61±1.60）d, P＞0.05].There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups（P＞0.05）.Conclusion Pulmonary color Doppler ultrasound has higher diagnostic value for pediatric pneumonia, and it is more safe and repeatable for children.It can better monitor the development of the disease in children, and provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the characterization of the "Santa Luzia" statue was carried out through three non‐destructive X‐ray techniques: X‐ray Fluorescence (XRF), Digital Radiography (DR), and Computed Tomography (CT). The wooden statue dates from the 18th century. It was carved in Portugal and is currently located at the Santa Luzia church—one of the oldest churches built in Rio de Janeiro. The portable XRF system used in this study is composed of an Ag target X‐ray tube and an silicon drift detector detector with energy resolution of 122 eV at 5.9 keV. Several spectra were obtained in different regions of the statue. For the DR and CT evaluations, a portable 120 kV X‐ray tube and a 410 × 410 mm a‐Si flat panel detector with a pixel size of 200 μm were used. Individual radiographs of the parts of the statue were acquired and merged into a single image, in order to show its complete radiography. Finally, the CT images of the head of the statue were taken in angular steps of 2 degrees and, after the reconstruction process, the data were analyzed by means of appropriate software. The elements found in the XRF analysis suggest the presence of the pigments lead white, red lead, zinc white, titanium white, vermilion and emerald green. All of them are in accordance with the pigments used by the artists during the statue's historical period. The 3 exceptions were the zinc white and titanium white pigments, which may be an evidence of modern interventions, and the emerald green pigment, which appears to be a repainting of the green region. The radiographic images showed the manufacturing process of the statue, as well as its structural condition. The assembling of wooden blocks, the presence and type of nails and spikes, and regions of different densities were found in the analysis. In the statue's head, the joining of the face with the main part of the statue is clearly visible, and also the hollow glass eye. The CT analysis was able to better detail this section as a spherical cavity in the central part of the head, as well as the presence of a high‐density fragment inside the hole for the fixation of the aureole. The type of glass eye was identified as blown‐glass eye, which is commonly used in devotional statues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Direct Digital Radiography (DDR) has dramatically impacted medical imaging by providing fast, high-quality radiographic images. It offers several advantages: instant image acquisition, efficient image storage and transmission, advanced image processing algorithms, and dose reduction capabilities. However, the misuse of DDR can lead to suboptimal image quality and diagnostic errors. This paper explores the uses and misuse of DDR in medical imaging. Methods: To understand the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of radiographers regarding DDR, an exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted. The survey collected demographic information and assessed participants' practices in DDR. Results: A total of 157 radiographers participated in the study. 50% of participants had formal training in DR, 34.4% manually collimated the X-ray beam most of the time, whilst 32.5% admitted they sometimes used image crop instead of manual collimation. 45.2% relied on automatic exposure devices, and 55.4% mentioned that they modified the exposure manually. 36.9% used image processing tools. 30.6% consistently monitored their repeat rate, whilst 12.1% mentioned they never did. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of continuous education and training to ensure the optimal use of DDR. There is a need for improved knowledge and skills in areas such as collimation, exposure optimisation, and image processing. Future research and educational initiatives should address these issues to ensure DDR's safe and effective use in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a detailed investigation project focused on the painting materials and technical features used in Wallachia during the 17th and 18th century, the imperial icon “Mother of God with Child” from the Orthodox Church of the “Annunciation” in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania, was investigated before the restoration intervention. A minimally invasive multi-analytical approach consisting of high-resolution digital radiography, hyperspectral imaging, UV fluorescence imaging, portable X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used. The results emphasized several key features, such as: the structure of the wooden panel, the nature of pigments and of the painting technique frequently used at that time, and various defects of the pictorial layer including traces of previous restoration works, most probably made at the end of the 18th century.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, ışıkla uyarılabilen fosfor (Photostimulable Storage Phosphor, PSP) plakalarının ışınlama-tarama süreçleri arasındaki farklı tarama gecikmeleri (bekletme süresi) ve saklama koşullarının görüntülerindeki Ortalama Gri Değer (OGD) değişimine etkisini değerlendirmekti. Gereç ve Yöntem: Saklama koşuluna göre oluşturulan dört grupta [Tek Kılıf Aydınlık (TKA), Tek Kılıf Karanlık (TKK), Tek Kılıf Karton Aydınlık (TKKA), Tek Kılıf Karton Karanlık (TKKK)] farklı bekletme sürelerinde toplam 40 görüntü elde edildi. ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) programı ile görüntülerin OGD’leri ölçüldü. Saklama koşullarını karşılaştırmak için tek yönlü, bekletme sürelerini karşılaştırmak için iki yönlü tekrarlı ölçümlü ANOVA testleri kullanıldı. Her bir gruptaki bekletme süreleri ile 0 dk. (altın standart) OGD’lerin karşılaştırılması için eşleştirilmiş örneklemler t-testi uygulandı. p0.05). Altın standart dışındaki diğer bekletme süreleri karşılaştırıldığında, 24 saat bekletme süresi ile diğer bekletme süreleri OGD’leri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark vardı (p

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital intraoral radiography for the detection of proximal caries adjacent to amalgam, e.max porcelain, and metal-ceramic restorations (MCRs). Materials and methods Parallel intraoral radiographs were obtained from 40 posterior teeth using PSP sensors. To obtain CBCT scans, the teeth were first radiographed alone, and were then positioned next to a tooth with an amalgam restoration, MCR, and e.max porcelain crown, and radiographed again. Two blinded observers scored radiographs using a four-point scale (0: absence of proximal caries, 1: enamel caries, 2: carious lesion extending to the outer half of dentin, 3: carious lesion extending to the inner half of dentin). Tooth sections were made, and the grade of caries was determined under a light microscope at x12 magnification. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CBCT and intraoral radiographs were then calculated. Results Artifact-free CBCT scans and intraoral radiographs had the highest diagnostic accuracy (0.826 and 0.657, respectively) while CBCT images of the teeth next to the amalgam restorations (0.526) had the lowest accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy of CBCT images of the teeth next to the porcelain crowns and MCRs was 0.613 and 0.601, respectively. Conclusion Artifact-free CBCT images had higher diagnostic accuracy than intraoral radiography for the detection of all grades of proximal caries. The diagnostic accuracy of CBCT images of teeth adjacent to amalgam, porcelain, and MCRs was lower compared to intraoral radiographs and artifact-free CBCT images.

Introduction: Digital radiography seems necessary for overcoming educational problems and archiving radiographs taken from patients; nonetheless, the views of students and professors about this issue have been less studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the satisfaction of professors and students with the use of conventional and digital radiography in the Endodontics Department of Mashhad Dental School.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on the professors of the Department of Root Therapy and 155 Dental Students in Mashhad. The research tool consisted of two researcher-made questionnaires. The first questionnaire was about the quality of the root therapy that was completed by the professors. The second questionnaire was about students' satisfaction with the use of digital and conventional radiography in the endodontics section. The information was recorded, and the data were then compared using Chi-square and Fisher tests.Results: The findings of this study demonstrated that from professors' point of view, digital imaging in dentistry had better quality, shorter time, and less error, and professors' satisfaction was significantly higher. Moreover, students had a more positive opinion of digital imaging in terms of quality, less time, less error, and less student congestion. Finally, students were more satisfied with digital imaging (P=0.05).Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, it can be concluded that digital radiography improved the education and satisfaction of both groups of students and professors.

As part of a detailed investigation project focused on the painting materials and technical features used in Wallachia during the 17th and 18th century, the imperial icon "Mother of God with Child" from the Orthodox Church of the "Annunciation" in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania, was investigated before the restoration intervention. A minimally invasive multi-analytical approach consisting of high-resolution digital radiography, hyperspectral imaging, UV fluorescence imaging, portable X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used. The results emphasized several key features, such as: the structure of the wooden panel, the nature of pigments and of the painting technique frequently used at that time, and various defects of the pictorial layer including traces of previous restoration works, most probably made at the end of the 18th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the radiopacity of 20 current dental resin composites with digital radiography. Methods: Ten specimens, 10-mm in diameter and 1-mm thickness, were prepared and radiographed using phosphor plates close to Al step wedges and tooth sections. The mean grey values (MGVs) were measured using an ImageJ software program and converted to equivalent Al thickness. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tamhane post hoc test (p < 0.05). Correlation between mean radiopacity and filler content (wt% and vol%) of the tested materials was analyzed with linear regression analysis. Results: The radiopacity of all composites ranged from 1.32 mm Al (Estellite Flow Quick) to 3.41 mm Al (Charisma Classic). All the tested materials, except four restorative materials, had a radiopacity equal or higher than the enamel (p < 0.05). Linear regression revealed low correlation between the radiopacity and filler content of the composite. Conclusion: Majority of the materials has appropriate radiopacity for dental restorations. There was great variation in radiopacity level, may clinically affect the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]