Computed radiography versus indirect digital radiography for the detection of glass soft-tissue foreign bodies
Abstract Aim The principle aim of this study was to compare computed radiography (CR) and indirect, flat-panel, digital radiography (DR) for the visibility of radio-opaque glass foreign bodies. Methods An image-quality study was undertaken using a chicken thigh, as the soft-tissue model, implanted with varying sizes of glass particles (1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm) which were imaged using CR and DR. Observers rated the acquired images based on the presence or absence and conspicuity of the foreign body. Ratings were then analysed in order to identify significance of any findings. Results CR (median = 4, interquartile range (IQR) = 1.0, n  = 240) was found to be superior to DR (median = 3, IQR = 3.0, n  = 240) in the detection of glass foreign bodies in soft-tissue ( p  = 0.001). Decreasing size of foreign bodies did not affect the performance of CR ( p  = 0.298), but did for DR with x 2 (2, n  = 240) = 12.22, p  = 0.002. The selected exposure factors were a limiting factor for DR but not for CR. Conclusion For the systems used in the current study, CR should be considered ahead of DR for glass particles less than 3 mm while for the larger glass particles either CR or DR is appropriate. Finally, careful consideration should be taken when selecting exposure factors for imaging foreign bodies.