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Optimising the Use of Computed Radiography in Pediatric Chest Imaging

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze image quality of chest examinations in pediatric patients using computed radiography (CR) obtained with a wide range of doses to suggest the appropriate parameters for optimal image quality. A sample of 240 chest images in four age ranges was randomly selected from the examinations performed during 2004. Images were obtained using a CR system and were evaluated independently by three radiologists. Each image was scored using criteria proposed by the European Guidelines on Quality Criteria in Pediatrics. Mean global scoring and scoring of individual criteria more sensitive to noise were used to evaluate image quality. Agfa dose level (DL) was in the range 1.20 to 2.85. It was found that there was not significant correlation (R < 0.5) between image quality and DL for any of the age ranges for either global score or for individual criteria more related to noise. The mean value of DL was in the ranges 1.9–2.1 for the four age bands. From this study, a DL value of 1.6 is proposed for pediatric CR chest imaging. This could yield a reduction of approximately a factor of 2.5 in mean patient entrance surface doses.

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Abbreviations

DL:

Dose level

CR:

Computed radiography

ICRP:

International Commission on Radiological Protection

PSP:

Photostimulable phosphor plate

ESD:

Entrance surface dose

HMD:

Hyaline membrane disease

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Peter J. Strouse, M.D. (Associate Professor and Director, Section of Pediatric Radiology, C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI) for reviewing the manuscript providing valuable suggestions.

This study has been in part supported by the European Coordination Action SENTINEL (FI6R-012909) and by the SADORADI project GR/SAL/0272/2004 of the Autonomous Community of Madrid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Radiology, C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital, F3503, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0252, USA

    R. Sanchez Jacob

  2. Department of Medical Physics, San Carlos University Hospital, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    E. Vano-Galvan, J. M. Fernandez Soto, D. Martinez Barrio & C. Prieto

  3. Department of Radiology, San Carlos University Hospital, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    E. Vano-Galvan, E. Vano & N. Gomez Ruiz

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  1. R. Sanchez Jacob
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  2. E. Vano-Galvan
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  3. E. Vano
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  4. N. Gomez Ruiz
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  5. J. M. Fernandez Soto
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  6. D. Martinez Barrio
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  7. C. Prieto
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Correspondence to E. Vano-Galvan.

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Sanchez Jacob, R., Vano-Galvan, E., Vano, E. et al. Optimising the Use of Computed Radiography in Pediatric Chest Imaging. J Digit Imaging 22, 104–113 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-007-9071-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-007-9071-2

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