Optimization of dose and image quality for computed and digital radiography

Optimization of dose in radiographic examinations is essential since the utilization of x-radiation is related to increased cancer risk. The study’s objective was to guide radiographers in ensuring best practices for common radiographic examinations of acceptable image quality in digital radiography while minimizing radiation doses that could result in harmful effects. The study comprised three phases. The first phase involved 90 respondents between 20 to 60 years of age and weighing between 60-80 kilograms for the following examinations: anterior-posterior (AP) abdomen, AP or lateral lumbar sacral spine and posterior-anterior (PA) chest examinations. During this phase, the radiographic examination’s technical parameters for 30 radiographs for each examination were at the radiographers’ discretion. Kerma X_plus, DAP (dose area product) meter was utilized to evaluate the entrance surface dose (ESD), while CALDose_X 5.0 Monte Carlo was used to estimate the effective dose. The experimental study utilized an anthropomorphic phantom (PBU-50) and Leeds test object to compare the image quality. The best parameters were adapted to the patient’s AP thickness for the optimization study from the different technical parameters used in the experimental phase