Which statement best describes a typical advantage of digital radiography over computed radiography?

• A. Faster image acquisition
• B. Decreased spatial resolution
• C. Lower image quality
• D. Less processing time

Answer: (A)

Immediate image availability is the key advantage of digital radiography over computed radiography. In digital radiography, the detector converts X-rays directly into a digital signal and the image can be viewed on the monitor right away. In computed radiography, the exposed phosphor plate must be scanned with a laser to read out and convert the stored energy into a digital image, which adds a processing step and delays viewing. This faster availability speeds up workflow, improves patient throughput, and reduces the chance of patient movement affecting the image. While image quality and resolution depend on the system, the most consistent and noticeable benefit here is the quicker access to the image.