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Analysis of Exposure I ndices in Digital D iagnostic R adiography. Krystal Francique Samantha Brownwell Mentor: Dr . Beth Vealé. Introduction to Radiography. What we knew going in: We first used film radiography, where films were developed with chemicals to produce the image
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Analysis of Exposure Indices in Digital Diagnostic Radiography Krystal Francique Samantha Brownwell Mentor: Dr. Beth Vealé
Introduction to Radiography • What we knew going in: • We first used film radiography, where films were developed with chemicals to produce the image • Due to modernization, we transitioned to digital radiography • Instead of film, we used a reusable cassette to transfer the image to the computer to be digitized. • Established values of mAs (milliamperage seconds) were used so that factor variation could be measured. • Lack of knowledge about these factors have caused a phenomenon known as “dose creep”; we have to lower dose.
Introduction to Radiography • Due to the fact that digital is more sensitive than film screen, these influential factors will not have the exact effect as they would on film screen • Research Question: How do known imaging parameters affect digital images and in turn, patient dose? • In digital radiography there is a number given after the image has been read, which is known as the exposure index number. It is a direct measure of radiation exposure to the image receptor and indicates exposure to the patient.
Exposure Number • Exposure index number is displayed on each image • Must fall between an established range. • Measures receptor exposure • The range differs between manufacturers • In the lab we have the iCR2600 made by iCRco. • It’s range is -1.00 to +1.00 with 0 being perfect exposure
What are we looking for and Why? • Analyze the influential factors in digital radiography that affect the exposure index numbers that measure radiation dose to the patient • These factors include: • Kilovoltage peak • Collimation • Distance • Time after exposure processing
Kilovoltage Peak (kVp) For both body parts, kVp was increased by 1 from the original value.
Collimation One set of collimation shutters was held constant at 5” while the other set was varied by .25” increments.
Distance Distance was varied by 1 inch from 35” – 45”
Time after Exposure The image receptor was left in a place protected from radiation for 15 minute increments before processing the image.
Conclusion • Every 1 kVp change results in ~10% increase or decrease in exposure number • Collimation (smaller FOV) results in 10% less exposure per 1 inch of change and 1% less per 1/8 inch change • Every 5 inch change in distance results in ~30% change in exposure number • Cassette left unprocessed showed a signal loss of 30% after 30 minutes and slowed considerably after that. • Much more to do!