Potentials of additional copper filtration on radiation dose and image quality for adults underwent digital chest X-ray imaging in Dubai Health Authority - UAE.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potentials of adding copper (Cu) filter on image quality and patient dose of adult patients underwent chest X-ray examination METHODS: Patients were divided into four groups. Group 1, patients were exposed with no added Cu filter (standard or control), group 2 a 0.1 mm Cu filter was added, group 3 acquired with 0.2 mm Cu filter and group 4 performed with 0.3 mm Cu filter. Exposure index (EI), entrance surface dose (ESD) and dose area product (DAP) were recorded from the modality and retrospectively analyzed. The visual grading analysis score (VGAS) was used to evaluate image quality. Mann-Whitney T-Test and one-way ordinary ANOVA Test were used to evaluate statistical differences including gender-based findings. RESULTS: EI, ESD and DAP data for a total of 784 patients (422 male and 362 female) that underwent indirect digital chest radiography exam were collected. Image quality was maintained when adding 0.1 mm Cu filter achieved with ∼19% DAP reduction. Female showed a significant DAP reduction comparing to male registered in the same group. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing dose when using indirect digital chest radiography is possible with no trade-off on image quality. No loss of image quality was reported, images were broadly comparable. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study highlights the importance of utilizing the additional copper filter in digital chest radiography.

Comparison of image quality in chest, hip and pelvis examinations between mobile equipment in nursing homes and static indirect radiography equipment in the hospital.

INTRODUCTION: A hospital environment can be a significant burden and a health risk especially for dementia patients. Mobile x-ray equipment (ME) is used to enable imaging of these patients at home. The aim was to compare image quality (IQ) of chest, hip and pelvis images from ME to the stationary equipment (SE) used in a hospital department. METHODS: We analysed examinations of the chest (n = 20), hip (n = 64) and pelvis (n = 32). Images were equally obtained from each setting of ME and SE. All images were graded using Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) by three radiographers (hip and pelvis) and three radiologists (chest). Technical IQ assessment was done by 80 additional images of a Contrast-Detail Radiography phantom (CDRAD). RESULTS: All chest images were approved for diagnostic use, as well as the hip AP and pelvis images from SE. 'Approved proportion of ME images was for HIP antero-posterior (AP) and pelvis, 78% [95% CI: 52-94%] and 81% [95% CI: 54-96%] respectively. Hip axial had an overall low, but not significant different approval rate. Ordered logistic regression indicated higher IQ of HIP AP and pelvic images from SE. This contrasts that the CDRAD substudy indicated better IQ, expressed as IQFinv, from ME. CONCLUSION: The VGA showed higher IQ for the SE system, while the CDRAD showed higher IQ for the ME system. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Dementia patients can be examined at their home if the acquisition is optimised according to image quality in conjunct to radiation dose. Performing imaging out of the hospital and coordinating the patients' further treatment are new work areas for radiographers and requires excellent communication skills.

Root canal curvature of anterior teeth in the Han nationality in Shaanxi province / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the root canal curvatures of anterior teeth in the Han nationality in Shaanxi province.Methods:392 permanent anterior teeth were examined by indirect digital radiography both from labiolingual and mesiodistal directions according to Schneider method, root canal curvatures were analyzed by electronic rule.Results:Root canals of the anterior teeth were mainly of type I. High rate of root canal curvature was found in maxillary canines (68.5%), and most of curves were in the apical third. There was a relationship between the root canal curvatures of maxillary canine and age(P=0.03). Conclusion:Root canal curvatures of maxillary canine are complicated,especially in maxillary canines. The root canal curvatures of maxillary canine decreased with aging.

Optimal Beam Tube Potential for the CsI/a:Si Flat Panel Digital Chest Radiography:Whether High KV Technique Still Suitable for Digital Equipment / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the optimal beam tube potential for amorphous silicon/cesium iodide flat panel digital chest radiography(indirect DR). Methods(1)60 healthy adults were undergone digital posteroanterior(PA) chest radiography at 80,100,150 kV respectively.The images quality of these three were compared by 5 independent observers.Several normal anatomy parts of the chest and the overall impression of the images were evaluated;(2)PA chest exposures of the anthropomorphic chest phantom to produce a constant ESDs(entrance skin doses) and exit dose were made using tube potential at 80,100,120,150 kV.The simulated chest nodules were scored. Results The quality of the adult chest radiography and the manifestation of the simulated chest nodules were superior at the lower tube voltages.The contrast of the images were best at 80 kV,while the appearance of the images look like that of the low potential radiography. Conclusion The optimal tube potential for chest DR is considered to be 80~100 kVp,while the high KV technique is no longer suitable for digital equipment.