Reduction of scratch or dirt artifacts on intraoral radiographs using dual imaging plates in image processing

Yusuke Imanishi; Takahito Sekiguchi; Masao Kato; Hideaki Kimoto; Toshihiko Amemiya; Ko Dezawa; Kunihito Matsumoto; Yoshinori Arai

doi:10.1007/s11282-022-00648-5

Reduction of scratch or dirt artifacts on intraoral radiographs using dual imaging plates in image processing

Oral Radiol. 2023 Apr;39(2):386-393. doi: 10.1007/s11282-022-00648-5. Epub 2022 Aug 31.

Authors

Yusuke Imanishi¹, Takahito Sekiguchi¹, Masao Kato¹, Hideaki Kimoto¹, Toshihiko Amemiya¹, Ko Dezawa¹, Kunihito Matsumoto¹, Yoshinori Arai²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13, surugadai kanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13, surugadai kanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan. mhg01033@nifty.com.

PMID: 36044160
DOI: 10.1007/s11282-022-00648-5

Abstract

Objectives: Artifacts including scratches and dirt artifacts on the digital intraoral radiographs finally contribute to making inaccurate diagnoses. The aim of this study was to reduce the incidence of artifacts using dual imaging plates (DIPs) in imaging processing.

Methods: Conventional X-rays were taken of a porcine mandible embedded in acrylic resin using a DIP which consists of a front IP (FIP) and a back IP (BIP) with some scratches and dirt. The two images of the FIP and BIP were then synthesized and averaged to obtain a conventional DIP image. The following image processing method was used to make a DIP with artifact reduction (DIP_+AR) image. A subtraction image of the FIP and BIP was constructed and the standard deviation (SD) was calculated. If the pixel value was over 3SD on the subtraction images, the pixel value of the DIP was swapped with the value on the opposite side of the non-artifact pixel. The conventional and DIP_+AR images were also subjectively evaluated.

Results: Image processing to create a DIP_+AR image was able to reduce the number of artifacts. Medians of number of artifacts evaluated were 2.00 [interquartile range (IQR), 2.50] in DIP images and 0.67 (IQR, 1.29) in DIP_+AR images, indicating a significant reduction of number of artifacts in DIP_+AR images.

Conclusions: DIP_+AR image processing can reduce the incidence of artifacts caused by scratches and dirt, and could extend the lifespan of the IP and contribute accurate diagnosis in oral radiology.

Keywords: Artifact; Image processing; Imaging plate; Intraoral radiography.

MeSH terms

Animals
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted* / methods
Mandible / diagnostic imaging
Mouth / diagnostic imaging
Swine
Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods