[The value of the supine chest x-ray with digital luminescence radiography in relation to the experience of the observer. A ROC analysis in CT-validated cases].

The aim of the present study was to evaluate supine chest radiographs obtained by DLR for the diagnosis of pleural and parenchymatous changes and to compare the accuracy of observers in relation to their experience. 50 examinations, which had been checked by CT, were chosen. The images were examined by 7 doctors (2 non-radiologists, 5 radiologists). Our experience indicates that DLR has high specificity but low sensitivity for the diagnosis of a pneumothorax but relatively high sensitivity and low specificity for other changes (pleural effusions, atelectases and other intrapulmonary opacities). The area under the ROC curve averaged over the 7 rater was similar for these 4 entities. There were marked differences between the observers; the radiologists were considerably better than the non-radiologists. Altogether, the diagnostic value of single DLR examinations was relatively low. In indeterminate cases, additional diagnostic methods should, therefore, be used.