The effect of viewing conditions on reader performance in radiographic images

Accurate interpretation of radiographic images is dependent on viewing conditions. Recently the number of radiology departments has been increased so it needs to use a workstation for reporting. The aim of this study was assess monitor performance and the effect of viewing conditions on object detection. This investigation aimed to quantify the effects of changes in box brightness and ambient light level on reader performance. Radiographs of the contrast-details phantom were taken in multiple exposures and were viewed by six observers. The viewing test was performed in 50,100 and 150 lux of ambient light in compound with 1000,1500 and 2000 cd m-2 box brightness. The percentage of uniformity was also 85. The results were analyzed by SPSS software. Low contrast visibility generally increased when the ambient light was 100 lux. The greatest performance was obtained in 2000 cd m-2 brightness and 15% non uniformity in mentioned ambient lighting. Reader performance not affected by ambient light and view box luminance although it seems those factors influenced on detection of low-contrast features in some studies.