Effect of delayed scanning of storage phosphor plates

Objective. To test longevity of image quality in storage phosphor plates (SPPs) at various exposure settings, storage conditions, and delays in scanning. Study design. Fifteen Digora plates were exposed from 0.08 to 0.20 seconds and scanned immediately, 10, 30, and 60 minutes, and 24 hours after exposure. Plates were stored both in daylight and in a light-tight box. Mean gray values (MGVs) were compared using 2 x 5 x 5 factorial ANOVA. Interaction between variables was tested using Bonferroni/Dunn multiple comparisons test. Results. MGVs decreased with increase in exposure but increased with the scan delay. Only MGVs of plates scanned within 10 minutes after exposure were not significantly different from the ones scanned immediately (P > .05). MGVs increased with scan delay for all exposure times no matter how the plates were stored (P < .05). Conclusion. Based on the time delays examined, it is recommended to scan the Digora SPP no later than 10 minutes after exposure. Longer periods may cause loss of quality.