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An image-processing method has been developed to improve the visibility of tube and catheter features in portable chest
x-ray (CXR) images captured in the intensive care unit (ICU). The image-processing method is based on a multi-frequency
approach, wherein the input image is decomposed into different spatial frequency bands, and those bands that
contain the tube and catheter signals are individually enhanced by nonlinear boosting functions. Using a random
sampling strategy, 50 cases were retrospectively selected for the study from a large database of portable CXR images
that had been collected from multiple institutions over a two-year period. All images used in the study were captured
using photo-stimulable, storage phosphor computed radiography (CR) systems. Each image was processed two ways.
The images were processed with default image processing parameters such as those used in clinical settings (control).
The 50 images were then separately processed using the new tube and catheter enhancement algorithm (test). Three
board-certified radiologists participated in a reader study to assess differences in both detection-confidence performance
and diagnostic efficiency between the control and test images. Images were evaluated on a diagnostic-quality, 3-megapixel monochrome monitor. Two scenarios were studied: the baseline scenario, representative of today's workflow
(a single-control image presented with the window/level adjustments enabled) vs. the test scenario (a control/test image
pair presented with a toggle enabled and the window/level settings disabled). The radiologists were asked to read the
images in each scenario as they normally would for clinical diagnosis. Trend analysis indicates that the test scenario
offers improved reading efficiency while providing as good or better detection capability compared to the baseline
scenario.
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