Applications of Uncertainty Analysis to Visual Evaluation of Density in Radiographs

Abstract

Uncertainty analysis, developed as a method of absolute judgment in psychology, is applied to a method of radiographic image evaluation with perceptual fluctuations and to an examination of visual evaluation of density in radiographs. Subjects are composed of three groups of four neurosurgeons, four radiologic technologists and four nonprofessionals. By using a five-category rating scale, each observer is directed to classify 255 radiographs randomly presented without feedback. Characteristics of each observer and each group can be shown quantitatively by calculated information values. It is also described that bivariate uncertainty analysis or entropy method can be used to calculate the degree of agreement of evaluation.