The liquid crystal display (LCD) for medical imaging in comparison with the cathode ray tube display (CRT)

This paper discusses display parameters such as display function, contrast, dynamic range, veiling glare and spatial resolution of displays useful in digital radiology. After a review of the traditional display in diagnostic radiology, namely the film-lightbox, based on the film-screen combination, the paper concentrates on the Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Flat Panel Display (AM-LCD). The AM-LCD will most likely mature and may become the display of choice in the near future, replacing the Cathode Ray Tube Display (CRT), which is presently the dominating softcopy display. A comparison between pertinent performance characteristics of AM-LCD and CRT demonstrates that spatial resolution (Modulation Transfer Function or MTF) and veiling glare for the AM-LCD are already superior to those of the CRT.