Subtle pulmonary abnormalities:: Detection on monitors with varying spatial resolutions and maximum luminance levels compared with detection on storage phosphor radiographic hard copies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this receiver operating characteristic study Was lo compare diagnostic efficacy with images displayed on monitors of varying spatial resolutions and maximum:luminance levels to that-with storage phosphor radiographic hard copies, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven types of simulated lesions were superimposed onto an anthropomorphic chest phantom. images were viewed by five radiologists on a 2,560 x 2,048-pixel monitor (maximum luminance, 75 foot-lamberts), on two 1,024 x 1,024 monitors with maximum luminance levels of 25 foot-lamberts and 75 foot-lamberts, respectively, as well as on hard copies. Monitor images were viewed both without and with systematic magnification. RESULTS:Overall visualization of the lesions was best on hard copies, but visualization on the 2,560 x 2,048 monitor was not found to be substantially different. Lines, reticular opacifications, and catheters were found to be particularly poorly visualized with the 1,024 x 1,024 monitor. These results could be statistically significantly improved only with a systematic:magnification; however, this involved a considerable increase in viewing time. Observer performance was markedly inferior with the 1,024 x 1,024 monitor with the lower luminance. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic performance With a 1,024 x 1,024 monitor is statistically significantly inferior to that with hard copies. A statistically significant improvement : can be achieved with a high-resolution 2,560 x 2,048 monitor with a maximum luminance of 75 foot-lamberts.