- Evaluation on Organ Dose and Image Quality of Lumbar Spine Radiography Using Glass Dosimeter -

Objective: Phantom studies and a prior patient study have shown up to 53% effective dose reduction when lumbar spine radiographs are acquired posteroanterior (PA) instead of anteroposterior (AP). Since November 2017, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has acquired all standing lumbar spine radiographs PA. The aim of this study was to locally evaluate dose and image quality in both projections and survey current UK practice. Methods: 80 outpatients having a standing lumbar spine radiograph (40 AP; 40 PA) had their dose–area product recorded at a constant KV and focus film distance. Effective dose was calculated using PCXMC software. Each blinded radiograph was scored against an optimal reference image using European Guidelines criteria. The data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U tests and linear regression. Eighty radiologists nationally were sent an anonymous survey to establish their current practice. Results: A lumbar spine radiograph acquired PA instead of AP reduced effective dose by 41% (p < 0.001) with no difference in image quality (p = 0.9). 21 radiologists completed our survey and only 1 NHS Trust is currently using PA. Conclusion: PA lumbar spine radiography reduces patient radiation exposure with no affect on image quality, acquisition time or cost. The majority of NHS Trusts nationally are still using AP and it is time to standardize to PA. Advances in knowledge: This patient study provides further good evidence of how reduction in exposure to ionizing radiation can be achieved in lumbar spine radiography and more widespread adoption of PA protocol could improve patient safety.

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Impact of iterative reconstruction on image quality of low-dose CT of the lumbar spine

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/0284185116669870 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 58 (6) ◽

pp. 702-709 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Muhammed Alshamari ◽

Mats Geijer ◽

Eva Norrman ◽

Mats Lidén ◽

Wolfgang Krauss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Image Quality ◽

Iterative Reconstruction ◽

Low Dose ◽

Low Dose Ct

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Influence of the characteristic curve on the clinical image quality of lumbar spine and chest radiographs

British Journal of Radiology ◽

10.1259/bjr/22642890 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 77 (915) ◽

pp. 204-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

A Tingberg ◽

C Herrmann ◽

B Lanhede ◽

A Almén ◽

M Sandborg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Image Quality ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Chest Radiographs ◽

Clinical Image

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ANODE HEEL EFFECT ATTENUATION IN LUMBAR SPINE RADIOGRAPHY: CAN THE USE OF ALUMINIUM FILTERS IMPROVE CLINICAL PRACTICE OF RADIOGRAPHERS?

Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy journal ◽

10.47724/mirtj.2020.i02.a003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

Luís Pedro Vieira RIBEIRO ◽

António Fernando Caldeira Lagem ABRANTES ◽

Oksana LESYUK ◽

Rúben DORES ◽

Patrick SOUSA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

Image Quality ◽

Image Quality Assessment ◽

Skin Dose ◽

Lateral Projection ◽

Spine Radiography ◽

Imaging Department ◽

Spine Radiographs ◽

Heel Effect

Purpose: The aim of this study was to design an aluminium-based filter to reduce the anode heel effect in lumbar spine radiographs. Methods: Initially, lumbar spine examinations were observed in a public imaging department to determine the standard exposure parameters. Then, the characterization of the anode heel effect was made using the Unfors Xi R/F detector and based on the data collected, aluminium filters were designed with a wedge shape, with thicknesses ranging from 0.1 to 4.0 mm. The assessment of the entrance skin dose (ESD) reduction was performed on the anthropomorphic phantom, with and without filters, using the universal dosimeter UNIDOS E equipped with an ionization chamber. Lastly, the image quality assessment was performed with the Pehamed Phantom Digrad A+K and image quality surveys were applied to radiographers and radiologists. Results and Discussion: Uniformity of the beam was achieved, especially with the filter number 2, which presents a significant variation of 9% between cathode and anode side. This filter contributes to ESD reduction of 35% and 36% for AP and lateral projection, respectively. Also, according to the radiographers and radiologists, it improves the image quality of lumbar spine radiography. Conclusion: The use of aluminium filters can be advantageous in the clinical practice of radiographers when carrying out lumbar spine radiographs, since it allows to standardize the anode heel effect, reducing the radiation dose to the patient and without compromising the image quality.

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Analisis Reduksi Dosis Efektif Mata Pada Fantom Menggunakan TLD Mata dengan Implementasi Software Organ Dose Modulation (ODM) dan Eyeshield pada Protokol CT Kepala dengan Alat GE Revolution Evo 128 Slice

Jurnal Pengawasan Tenaga Nuklir ◽

10.53862/jupeten.v1i1.006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 26-30

Author(s):

Dito Andi Rukmana ◽

◽

Veronika Saron Kamantuh ◽

Bambang Dwinanto ◽

Lutfiana Desy Saputri

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Ct Scan ◽

Effective Dose ◽

Research Method ◽

Dose Calculation ◽

Organ Dose ◽

Head Ct ◽

Affect Image Quality ◽

Dose Modulation

The eye is one of the sensitive organs that need attention in the head CT-Scan. This study aims to reduce the effective eye dose on a head CT-Scan using ODM (Organ Dose Modulation) software and use eyeshield on the phantom. The study was conducted using a CT-Scan tool GE Revolution Evo 128 Slice. The research method was carried out by placing three pairs of eye TLDs (Hp3 Dosimeters) on the phantom for the three examination configurations, CT-Scan standard (routine) examinations, examinations using ODM software, and examinations using ODM software and eyeshield. The estimated effective dose calculation based on TLD reading for the eye lens on a standard CT-Scan (routine) is 1.29 mSv. Examination with ODM software is 1.03 mSv. Examination with ODM software and eyeshield of 0.9 mSv. Based on the results obtained, a head CT-Scan with ODM software can reduce the dose by 20% from a routine head CT-Scan, and if added with an eyeshield, it can reduce the dose by 30%. The quality of the image produced by implementing ODM software, SNR value decreased from 39 to 35 in the anterior phantom, central and posterior parts remained. However, the change in SNR value is not significant, so it does not change the image quality. Furthermore, the addition of eyeshield does not alter the SNR value, which means that the addition eyeshield does not cause artifacts that affect image quality. Using ODM and eyeshield software is indeed a little more complicated than a routine head CT-Scan. Still, the benefits obtained are pretty significant, reducing the effective dose received by the eye without reducing image quality.

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