Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41071450›Full record

ArticleJapanese journal of radiology2026

Evaluation of image quality in pediatric portable chest radiographs using AI-based noise reduction and edge enhancement.

Atsuko Fujikawa, Shin Matsuoka, Yuki Saito, Shoko Arizono, Kosei Nakamura, Aya Kato, Takao Tanuma, Hidefumi Mimura

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Japanese journal of radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Atsuko FujikawaDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan. a2fujikawa@marianna-u.ac.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3352-1334
Shin MatsuokaDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan.
Yuki SaitoDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan.
Shoko ArizonoDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan.
Kosei NakamuraDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan.
Aya KatoDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan.
Takao TanumaGraduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0942, Japan.
Hidefumi MimuraDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, ZIP 216-8511, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo evaluate the image quality of pediatric portable chest radiographs processed using a deep learning-based noise reduction (NR) algorithm implemented in clinical radiography systems, which is designed to reduce image noise without altering radiation dose, both alone and with edge enhancement. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis retrospective visual grading analysis included 101 pediatric patients (median age: 33 days; median weight: 2844 g) who underwent portable chest radiography. Each image was processed using four techniques: (1) standard (no processing), (2) edge enhancement only, (3) NR only, and (4) NR with edge enhancement. Image quality was assessed using five criteria: visualization of proximal bronchi, small peripheral airways, vertebrae, image noise, and overall image quality. In an anonymous, randomized review, two pediatric radiologists rated each criterion using a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical comparisons were conducted between processing methods.

resultsImages processed with NR and edge enhancement (NR + /Filter +) achieved the highest mean scores across all criteria. Structural visibility-particularly of small peripheral airways, proximal bronchi, and vertebrae-showed significant improvement with edge enhancement (p < 0.0001). No significant difference in image noise was observed between NR-only and NR + /Filter + groups (p = 0.482).

conclusionAI-based noise reduction significantly improves image quality by reducing noise. Although edge enhancement does not further suppress noise, it improves the visibility of delicate anatomical structures. This combined approach may enhance diagnostic confidence in neonatal chest radiography, particularly under low-dose conditions.

Indexed as

Deep LearningRadiographic Image EnhancementRadiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-AssistedRadiography, ThoracicAlgorithmsFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMaleRadiation DosageRetrospective StudiesArtificial intelligenceEdge enhancementImage quality assessmentLow-dose imagingNeonatal chest radiographyNoise reduction

Identifiers

PMID41071450
PMCPMC12860747

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.