Gary J. McNabb 
Digital X-ray is also known as digital radiography. It is the latest version of conventional X-ray, which uses digital sensors in place of photographic film. The image captured is converted into digital form instantly on a computer screen. The detector sensor converts the x–ray radiation into the corresponding electric charge and subsequently into a digital image. This application is supportive in critical medical conditions and also as regular healthcare treatment. The radiation travels through the body, categorizing different substances as per their density. For instance, the air in the lungs seems black and fat, muscles grey, and any other foreign objects along with bone appear white. Digital Detector Arrays (DDAs) facilitate enhanced range resulting in high-resolution digital images and sensitivity.
Enhanced sensitivity and linearity
Digital radiography is used to detect various ailments, including fractures, identifying foreign objects and many kinds of cancer, fracture, infection, bone, lung, breast cancer and tooth decay. The application is safe and versatile as it requires shorter exposure time, enhanced sensitivity and linearity and real-time processing. The main concern is radiation exposure related to X-rays, but in digital radiography, the exposure is much less (80%) than a conventional one. Moreover, this application is more eco-friendly as no toxic chemicals or films need to be disposed of in a proper fashion.
Detect smallest irregularities
The fundamental objective of radiography is to traverse through the body and detect health issues that are not visible otherwise. To achieve this purpose, sharper, clearer images are required, and doctors can detect the smallest irregularities and objects which otherwise would be omitted. Instant diagnosis is possible as the digital images are displayed on a computer screen.
Digital radiography improves diagnosis by generating higher-quality images immediately with three times more dose efficacy than computed radiography. With more advancement and reduction in cost, digital radiography is becoming the standard choice for an x-ray.
More versatility
Digital radiography provides more imaging adaptability and general image quality and eliminates the use of toxic chemicals. These attributes facilitate better patient diagnosis and quality health care. Stored DR images in the hardware of the device allow technicians and doctors to darken, lighten, zoom in out, swivel, flip, and invert as required. The foremost benefit of digital radiography is to flip from dark to light and reverse, which increases the visibility of small particles of fractures and soft tissues that would be difficult to notice otherwise. Footnotes can be added in DR images, such as measurements, angles, R/L markers or other comments. If required, a radiologist can retake the image instantly, and the patient need not be moved from one place to another.
DQE
The digitalized images of radiography can be stored and archived in a communication system (PAC) which permits any physician connected to the PAC to view it if required. This implies digital images captured in healthcare institutions can be stored and distributed without damaging the image quality.
Digital radiography comes with a DQE of around 65&%, signifying lower radiation with the same amount of quantum noise. DQE (Detective Quantum Efficiency) defines the efficacy of x-ray detectors by measuring the amount of noise and photons in a session. Preferably DQE is supposed to be 100% implying all X-ray photons are imprinted in the plate. However, DQE is impacted by partial x-ray absorption and noise deriving from the device.
