- Handbook on the Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, 2014 (IAEA)
- Imaging Informatics Subcommittee, Assessment of display performance for medical imaging systems, 2005 (AAPM)
Supplemental files available here - ACR Technical Standard for Electronic Practice of Medical Imaging, 2007 (ACR)
- Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, DICOM (website)
- Gray JE, et al., Test pattern for video displays and hard-copy cameras, Radiology 154 (1985) 519
- Testing of monitors, including links to download test patterns
For additional references click here
Display and printing devices
Introduction
Display and printing devices are critical parts of the medical imaging system for digital modalities including CR and DR, digital mammography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. It is critical that the appropriate displays be used, that these be calibrated using a photometer and the appropriate test patterns, and that they be located in an area with controlled, low ambient illumination. Film, or hard-copy, images must be an accurate representation of the image on the display.
Important Principles
The primary concern regarding displays is that both the resolution and gray scale be adequate to present the information in the image to the physician. This means that most computer-based displays are inadequate for this purpose. Displays specifically designed as medical image displays must be used. Such displays have sufficient resolution (number of pixels) and the ability to display appropriate gray scale.
Printing devices are also critical and must be designed for this purpose. Paper printing devices are not acceptable in that the gray scale reproduction is inadequate for the proper display of medical images. The key to an appropriate film image is that printing device-film combination can display the same gray scale information as the electronic display. This must be evaluated as part of acceptance testing, and periodically as part of the display and printing device quality control program.
The SMPTE test pattern was developed in 1985 for this purpose and is still in use today (see Gray et al.). The AAPM also provides test patterns (see AAPM TG 18 Report) including a comprehensive TG18 pattern.
Additional information on testing of monitors can be found on a dedicated page.
Introduction to References
The primary reference for displays is the AAPM Task Group 18 report entitled "Assessment of Display Performance for Medical Imaging Systems" and includes downloadable test patterns. The paper entitled "Multiformat Video and Laser Camera Acceptance Testing (and Quality Control)" contained in "Specification, Acceptance Testing, and Quality Control of Diagnostic X-ray Imaging Equipment "(Conference Proceedings), provides information on acceptance testing and quality control of printing devices.