Comparison of Different Medical Image Processing Techniques on Perception of Anatomical Structures and Overall Image Quality in Direct Digital Panoramic Radiographs

Recently, most digital imaging systems provide the option of image post-processing with different techniques. This clinical study aims to compare these techniques on perception of anatomical structures and overall image quality in direct digital panoramic radiographs. Subjects and Panoramic radiographs were acquired from 45 patients. The original and the processed images using shadow, sharpen, sigmoidal or exponential, Negative and 3D embossed filters were assessed by 4 observers and scored for perception of the floor of maxillary sinus, dentino enamel junction, root canal space, periodontal ligament space, inferior mandibular cortex, bone trabecular pattern, inferior alveolar canal and overall image quality. The results were statistically analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. The best diagnostic quality in all anatomical structures and overall image quality was obtained using sharpen processing method. The negative filter earned the second place in floor of maxillary sinus, dentine -enamel junction and root canal space. The original images provided the second best diagnostic quality in periodontal ligament space, inferior mandibular cortex, bone trabecular pattern, inferior alveolar canal and overall image quality. To perceive the anatomical structures and overall image quality the sharpened image processing method is recommended. It should be noted that the processing techniques should be chosen carefully considering the anatomical structure that is being studied.