| Objective: To compare digital radiographs(DR) with conventional radiographs in the detection of pulmonary nodules(PN).Materials And Methods: Sixty cases were involved in this study.As confirmed by their CT results, 30 out of them have pulmonary nodules, while the reminder half do not. All these 60 cases underwent both examinations of digital chest radiography and conventional chest radiography. Digital images got were displayed on a high-resolution liquid crystal diode (LCD) imager, and were observed by 6 radiologists (3 residents and 3 attending ones).With a sequential test, observes evaluated first the digital images and then the conventional image ones of the same case. They were supposed to mark on a confidence rating scale in terms of the existence of pulmonary nodule in both two kinds of images they viewed. The results were analyzed with a ROC methodology.Results :1. For all , observer performance in digital radiographs was superior to that in conventional radiographs (P<0.05) .2. In the detection of exposed pulmonary nodules ,observer performance in digital radiographs was not superior to that in conventional radiographs(P > 0.05). But in the detection of hidden pulmonary nodules ,observer performance in digital radiographs was superior to that in conventional radiographs (P<0.05) . 3. For five size groups ,observer performance in digital radiographs was superior to that in conventional radiographs ,and there was statistical difference in the detection of 3-5 mm , 6-8 mm ,9-11 mm pulmonary nodules ( P < 0.05). 4. To digital radiographs , observer performance of attending radiologists was superior to that of residents radiologists.Conclusion: Digital radiographs is superior to conventional radiographs in the detection of pulmonary nodules , specially hidden pulmonary nodules and pulmonary micro-nodules. |
