Seven general radiography x-ray detectors with pixel sizes ranging from 175 µm to 76 µm: technical evaluation with the focus on orthopaedic imaging.

Flat panel detectors with small pixel sizes general can potentially improve imaging performance in radiography applications requiring fine detail resolution. This study evaluated the imaging performance of seven detectors, covering a wide range of pixel sizes, in the frame of orthopaedic applications. Material and Methods: Pixel sizes ranged from 175 µm (detector A175) to 76 µm (detector G76). Modulation transfer function (MTF) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) were measured using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) RQA3 beam quality. Threshold contrast (CT) and a detectability index (d') were measured at three air kerma/image levels. Rabbit shoulder images acquired at 60 kV, over five air kerma levels, were evaluated in a visual grading study for anatomical sharpness, image noise and overall diagnostic image quality by four radiologists. The detectors were compared to detector E124. Results: The 10% point of the MTF ranged from 3.21 mm-1 to 4.80 mm-1, in going from detector A175 to detector G76. DQE(0.5 mm-1) measured at 2.38 µGy/image was 0.500.05 for six detectors, but was higher for F100 at 0.62. High frequency DQE was superior for the smaller pixel detectors, however CT for 0.25 mm discs correlated best with DQE(0.5mm-1). Correlation between CT and the detectability model was good (R2 = 0.964). CT for 0.25 mm diameter discs was significantly higher for D150 and F100 compared to E124. The visual grading data revealed higher image quality ratings for detectors D125 and F100 compared to E124. An increase in air kerma was associated with improved perceived sharpness and overall quality score, independent of detector. Detectors B150, D125, F100 and G76, performed well in specific tests, however only F100 consistently outperformed the reference detector. Conclusion: Pixel size alone was not a reliable predictor of small detail detectability or even perceived sharpness in a visual grading analysis study.