Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Comparison of computed radiography and conventional radiography in detection of small volume pneumoperitoneum.
- Journal:
- Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Marolf, Angela et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at two types of X-ray technology—digital imaging and traditional film—to see how well they can find small amounts of air in the abdomen of dogs. Researchers used 20 cadaver dogs, injecting them with small amounts of air and then taking X-rays with both methods. They found that while both types of X-rays were similar in detecting free air, the digital method was slightly better at picking up very small amounts. Specifically, the digital images were more likely to show 0.5 ml of air, while the traditional film didn't consistently detect any small amounts. Overall, the digital X-ray method showed some advantages, but more research is needed to fully understand the differences between these imaging techniques.
Abstract
The role of digital imaging is increasing as these systems are becoming more affordable and accessible. Advantages of computed radiography compared with conventional film/screen combinations include improved contrast resolution and postprocessing capabilities. Computed radiography's spatial resolution is inferior to conventional radiography; however, this limitation is considered clinically insignificant. This study prospectively compared digital imaging and conventional radiography in detecting small volume pneumoperitoneum. Twenty cadaver dogs (15-30 kg) were injected with 0.25, 0.25, and 0.5 ml for 1 ml total of air intra-abdominally, and radiographed sequentially using computed and conventional radiographic technologies. Three radiologists independently evaluated the images, and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis compared the two imaging modalities. There was no statistical difference between computed and conventional radiography in detecting free abdominal air, but overall computed radiography was relatively more sensitive based on ROC analysis. Computed radiographic images consistently and significantly demonstrated a minimal amount of 0.5 ml of free air based on ROC analysis. However, no minimal air amount was consistently or significantly detected with conventional film. Readers were more likely to detect free air on lateral computed images than the other projections, with no significant increased sensitivity between film/screen projections. Further studies are indicated to determine the differences or lack thereof between various digital imaging systems and conventional film/screen systems.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18546776/