Digital radiography with large-area flat-panel detectors

Eur Radiol. 2002 Oct;12(10):2562-70. doi: 10.1007/s00330-002-1350-1. Epub 2002 Mar 19.

Abstract

Large-area flat-panel detectors with active readout mechanisms have been on the market for the past 2 years. This article describes different detector technologies. An important distinction is made between detectors with direct and those with indirect conversion of X-rays into electrical charges. Detectors with indirect conversion are built with unstructured or structured scintillators, the latter resulting in less lateral diffusion of emitted light. Some important qualities of flat-panel detectors are discussed. The first phantom and clinical studies published report an image quality at least comparable to that of screen-film systems and a potential for dose reduction. The available studies are summarised in this article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / instrumentation*
  • X-Ray Intensifying Screens