The effect of base image window level selection on the dimensional measurement accuracy of resultant three-dimensional image displays

• Published in: Radiography (London, England. 1995) England. 1995), 2003, Vol.9 (3), p.211-218
• Main Authors: Kurmis, A.P, Hearn, T.C, Reynolds, K.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: grey scale; MR imaging; three-dimensional reconstructive imaging
• ISSN: 1078-8174; 1532-2831
• DOI: 10.1016/S1078-8174(03)00055-5

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of base image window level selection on direct linear measurement of knee structures displayed using new magnetic resonance (MR)-based three-dimensional reconstructed computer imaging techniques. Methods: A prospective comparative study was performed using a series of three-dimensional knee images, generated from conventional MR imaging (MRI) sections. Thirty distinct anatomical structural features were identified within the image series of which repeated measurements were compared at 10 different window grey scale levels. Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated an excellent raw correlation between measurements and suggested no significant difference between measurements made at each of the 10 window level settings ( P>0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that unlike conventional MR or CT applications, grey scale window level selection at the time of imaging does not significantly affect the visual quality of resultant three-dimensional reconstructed images and hence the accuracy of subsequent direct linear measurement. The diagnostic potential of clinical progression from routine two-dimensional to advanced three-dimensional reconstructed imaging techniques may therefore be less likely to be degraded by inappropriate MR technician image windowing during the capturing of image series.