Comparative evaluation of interstitial lung pattern by analog radiography and computed radiography in domestic shorthair cats

The aim of current study was comparing the diagnostic performance of computed radiography with that of analog radiography in evaluation of interstitial lung pattern based on histopathology as a gold standard. Twenty domestic shorthair cats apart from weight, age and gender differences after clinical examination were studied in lateral and ventrodorsal projections with both computed and analog radiography. Then, three radiologists independently evaluated the radiographs. Histopathology investigation used as gold standard to confirm the interstitial lung pattern detected on the radiographs. Statistical data of two radiologic approaches were analyzed by Cohen’s Kappa test and the sensitivity and specificity of each approach were also calculated. The agreement for the interstitial lung pattern was fair for both systems, but computed radiography was more sensitive. In current study the ability of computed radiography was equivalent or superior to conventional radiography for evaluation of interstitial lung pattern, since displaying more radiographic details. Accordingly, it can be a proper substitute for analog radiography considering its advantages including elimination of dark room, high contrast resolution and wide dynamic range.