Raguindin, Lyka Mae C.

BSRT 2 – 2
IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING.
RELATE THEM TO THE DIGITAL IMAGING.
RELATE THEM TO EACH OTHER.
DIGITAL IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS
i. Pixel - In digital imaging, a pixel (or picture element) is the smallest item of information in an
image. Pixels are arranged in a 2-dimensional grid, represented using squares. Each pixel is a
sample of an original image, where more samples typically provide more-accurate
representations of the original. The intensity of each pixel is variable; in color systems, each pixel
has typically three or four components such as red, green, and blue, or cyan, magenta, yellow,
and black. The word pixel is based on a contraction of pix ("pictures") and el (for "element"). The
amount of resolution in an image is determined by the size of the pixels and the spacing between
them, or pixel pitch. More pixels do not always mean better resolution because of the amount of
x-ray scatter, light scatter, or both within the receptor. Typically, 2000 pixels/row are adequate
for most diagnostic examinations. Smaller pixel sizes may be necessary for mammographic
examinations. Pixel size in TFT displays is related to the design of the capacitance elements and
also to the fill factor of these devices.

ii. Matrix size - Larger matrices combined with small pixel size will increase resolution, but it may
not be practical to use large matrices. The larger the matrix, the larger the size of the image, and
the greater the space needed for network transmission and picture archival and communication
system (PACS) storage. A matrix is a square arrangement of numbers in columns and rows, and
in digital imaging, the numbers correspond to discrete pixel values. Each box within the matrix
also corresponds to a specific location in the image and corresponds to a specific area of the
patient’s tissue. The image is digitized both by position (spatial location) and by intensity (gray
level). The typical number of pixels in a matrix ranges from about 512 × 512 to 1024 × 1024 and
can be as large as 2500 × 2500. The size of the matrix determines the size of the pixels. For
example, if you have a 10 × 12 and a 14 × 17 computed radiography (CR) cassette and both have
a 512 × 512 matrix, then the 10 × 12 cassette will have smaller pixels.

iii. Spatial resolution - Depending on the detector’s physical characteristics, spatial resolution can
vary a
Great deal. Spatial resolution of a-Se for direct detectors and CsI for indirect detectors is higher
than CR detectors but lower than film/screen radiography. Excessive image processing, in an
effort to alter image sharpness, can lead to excessive noise. Digital images can be processed to
alter apparent image sharpness; however, excessive processing can lead to an increase in
perceived noise. The best resolution will be achieved by using the appropriate technical factors
and materials.

iv. Bit depth - Each pixel contains pieces or bits of information. The number of bits within a pixel
is known as pixel bit depth. If a pixel has a bit depth of 8, then the number of gray tones that
pixel can produce is 2 to the power of the bit depth, or 28 or 256 shades of gray. Some digital
systems have bit depths of 10 to 16, resulting in more shades of gray. Each pixel can have a gray
level between 1 (20) and 65,536 (216). The gray level will be a factor in determining the image
contrast resolution.

v. Contrast resolution - Contrast resolution in radiology refers to the ability of any imaging
modality to distinguish between differences in image intensity. The inherent contrast resolution
of a digital image is given by the number of possible pixel values, and is defined as the number of
bits per pixel value. Imaging modalities have an inherent contrast resolution intrinsic to the
modality itself, e.g. MRI, but this baseline resolution is commonly further modified by the
tweaking of scan parameters and/or the use of contrast media