Abstract
Purpose: To determine whether using different combinations of kVp and mAs with additional filtration can reduce the effective dose to a paediatric phantom whilst maintaining diagnostic image quality.
Methods: 27 images of a paediatric AP pelvis phantom were acquired with different kVp, mAs and additional copper filtration. Images were displayed on quality controlled monitors with dimmed lighting. Ten diagnostic radiographers (5 students and 5 experienced radiographers) had eye tests to assess visual acuity before rating the images. Each image was rated for visual image quality against a reference image using 2 alternative forced choice software using a 5-point Likert scale. Physical measures (SNR and CNR) were also taken to assess image quality.
Results: Of the 27 images rated, 13 of them were of acceptable image quality and had a dose lower than the image with standard acquisition parameters. Two were produced without filtration, 6 with 0.1mm and 5 with 0.2mm copper filtration. Statistical analysis found that the inter-rater and intra-rater
reliability was high.
Discussion: It is possible to obtain an image of acceptable image quality with a dose that is lower than published guidelines. There are some areas of the study that could be improved. These include using a wider range of kVp and mAs to give an exact set of parameters to use.
Conclusion: Additional filtration has been identified as amajor tool for reducing effective dose whilst maintaining acceptable image quality in a 5 year old phantom.
Methods: 27 images of a paediatric AP pelvis phantom were acquired with different kVp, mAs and additional copper filtration. Images were displayed on quality controlled monitors with dimmed lighting. Ten diagnostic radiographers (5 students and 5 experienced radiographers) had eye tests to assess visual acuity before rating the images. Each image was rated for visual image quality against a reference image using 2 alternative forced choice software using a 5-point Likert scale. Physical measures (SNR and CNR) were also taken to assess image quality.
Results: Of the 27 images rated, 13 of them were of acceptable image quality and had a dose lower than the image with standard acquisition parameters. Two were produced without filtration, 6 with 0.1mm and 5 with 0.2mm copper filtration. Statistical analysis found that the inter-rater and intra-rater
reliability was high.
Discussion: It is possible to obtain an image of acceptable image quality with a dose that is lower than published guidelines. There are some areas of the study that could be improved. These include using a wider range of kVp and mAs to give an exact set of parameters to use.
Conclusion: Additional filtration has been identified as amajor tool for reducing effective dose whilst maintaining acceptable image quality in a 5 year old phantom.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | OPTIMAX 2014 – radiation dose and image quality optimisation in medical imaging |
| Place of Publication | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Pages | 85 |
| Number of pages | 91 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Event | OPTIMAX 2014: radiation dose and image quality optimisation in medical imaging - Lisbon , Portugal Duration: 1 Aug 2014 → 31 Aug 2014 |
Seminar
| Seminar | OPTIMAX 2014 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Portugal |
| City | Lisbon |
| Period | 1/08/14 → 31/08/14 |
Keywords
- paediatric pelvis
- additional filters
- low kVp, mAs
- dose
- computerradiografie