Radiology, Vol 187, 791-796, Copyright © 1993 by Radiological Society of North America
Pneumoconiosis: comparison of digitized and conventional radiographs
DM Mannino, RD Kennedy and TK Hodous
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505.
The classification of pneumoconiosis on 108 paired radiographs obtained in
coal miners was compared by using conventional radiograph film images and
digitized images of those conventional film images. Conventional film
images and digitized images were each independently read in a random order
in two separate sessions by three radiologists certified as "B" readers.
Overall, the digitized images were perceived as being of better quality
than the conventional film images (radiograph quality grade 1, 48% [617 of
1,292 classifications] vs 37% [482 of 1,296], respectively; P < .001).
The mean International Labour Office (ILO) scores for small-opacity
profusion were similar between the digitized images and conventional film
images (3.14 vs 3.24, respectively; P = .19). The mean absolute differences
in small-opacity profusion score between radiograph pairs were also similar
(0.74 vs 0.77, respectively; P = .50). No difference in the ILO type of
opacity was noted between the display modes. Interpretation of digitized
images for pneumoconiotic small opacities was shown to be an acceptable
alternative to interpretation of conventional film images; the important
problem of reader variability affects both display modes.
