Comparative analysis of radiation dose and low contrast detail detectability using routine paediatric chest radiography protocols

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2019

Source: European Journal of Radiology

Author(s): Sadeq Al-Murshedi, Peter Hogg, Annemieke Meijer, Hendrik Erenstein, Andrew England

Abstract

Objectives

To compare low contrast detail (LCD) detectability and radiation dose for routine paediatric chest X-ray (CXR) imaging protocols among various hospitals.

Methods

CDRAD 2.0 phantom and medical grade polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slabs were used to simulate the chest region of four different paediatric age groups. Radiographic acquisitions were undertaken on 17 X-ray machines located in eight hospitals using their existing CXR protocols. LCD detectability represented by image quality figure inverse (IQF_inv) was measured physically using the CDRAD analyser software. Incident air kerma (IAK) measurements were obtained using a solid-state dosimeter.

Results

The range of IQF_inv, between and within the hospitals, was 1.40-4.44 and 1.52-2.18, respectively for neonates; 0.96-4.73 and 2.33-4.73 for a 1-year old; 0.87-1.81 and 0.98-1.46 for a 5-year old and 0.90-2.39 and 1.27-2.39 for a 10-year old.

The range of IAK, between and within the hospitals, was 8.56-52.62 µGy and 21.79-52.62 µGy, respectively for neonates; 5.44-82.82 µGy and 36.78-82.82 µGy for a 1-year old; 10.97-59.22 µGy and 11.75-52.94 µGy for a 5-year old and 13.97-100.77 µGy and 35.72-100.77 µGy for a 10-year old.

Conclusions

Results show considerable variation, between and within hospitals, in the LCD detectability and IAK. Further radiation dose optimisation for the four paediatric age groups, especially in hospitals /X-ray rooms with low LCD detectability and high IAK, are required.

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