Comparison of color LCD and medical-grade monochrome LCD displays in diagnostic radiology

Abstract

In diagnostic radiology, medical-grade monochrome displays are usually recommended because of their higher luminance. Standard color displays can be used as a less expensive alternative, but have a lower luminance. The aim of the present study was to compare image quality for these two types of displays. Images of a CDRAD contrast-detail phantom were read by four radiologists using a 2-megapixel (MP) color display (143 cd/m(2) maximum luminance) as well as 2-MP (295 cd/m(2)) and 3-MP monochrome displays. Thirty lumbar spine radiographs were also read by four radiologists using the color and the 2-MP monochrome display in a visual grading analysis (VGA). Very small differences were found between the displays when reading the CDRAD images. The VGA scores were -0.28 for the color and -0.25 for the monochrome display (p = 0.24; NS). It thus seems possible to use color displays in diagnostic radiology provided that grayscale adjustment is used.

Fig 1

Calibration curves for the 2-MP color and 2-MP monochrome displays. JND = Just noticeable difference.

Fig 2

Image quality figures for a CDRAD contrast-detail phantom. Lower IQF values indicate better image quality. i) Comparison of a 2-MP color and a 2-MP monochrome display using a flat-panel detector image at low ambient illumination (23 lx). ii) Comparison of the same displays and image at higher ambient illumination (90 lx). iii) Comparison of the same displays using a storage phosphor plate image with lower inherent image quality at 23 lx. iv) Comparison of the 2-MP color display and a 3-MP monochrome display with no zoom allowed at 23 lx.