The HU-rho(el) relationships predefined in TPS can be used for general-purpose CT systems operating at voltages close to 120 kV. For nontypical imaging systems (e.g., CBCT), the relationship can be significantly different and, therefore, it should always be measured and carefully analyzed before using CT data for treatment planning.

SummaryBackgroundRegular quality control is required in Poland only for those methods of medical imaging which involve the use of ionizing radiation but not for ultrasonography. It is known that the quality of ultrasound images may be affected by the wearing down or malfunctioning of equipment.Material/MethodsAn evaluation of image quality was carried out for 22 ultrasound scanners equipped with 46 transducers. The CIRS Phantom model 040GSE was used. A set of tests was established which could be carried out with the phantom, including: depth of penetration, dead zone, distance measurement accuracy, resolution, uniformity, and visibility of structures.ResultsWhile the dead zone was 0 mm for 89% of transducers, it was 3 mm for the oldest transducer. The distances measured agreed with the actual distances by 1 mm or less in most cases, with the largest difference of 2.6 mm. The resolution in the axial direction for linear transducers did not exceed 1 mm, but it reached even 5 mm for some of the convex and sector transducers, especially at higher depths and in the lateral direction. For 29% of transducers, some distortions of anechoic structures were observed. Artifacts were detected for several transducers.ConclusionsThe results will serve as a baseline for future testing. Several cases of suboptimal image quality were identified along with differences in performance between similar transducers. The results could be used to decide on the applicability of a given scanner or transducer for a particular kind of examination.

SummaryBackgroundDifferent methods of image quality evaluation are routinely used for analogue and digital mammography systems in Poland. In the present study, image quality for several screen-film (SF), computed radiography (CR), and fully digital (DR) mammography systems was compared directly with the use of the ACR mammography accreditation phantom.Material/MethodsImage quality and mean glandular doses were measured and compared for 47 mammography systems in the Mazovia Voivodeship in Poland, including 26 SF systems, 12 CR systems, and 9 DR systems. The mean glandular dose for the breast simulated by 4.5 cm of PMMA was calculated with methods described in the “European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis”. Visibility of the structures in the image (fibers, microcalcifications, and masses) was evaluated with the mammographic accreditation ACR phantom.ResultsImage quality for DR systems was significantly higher than for SF and CR systems. Several SF systems failed to pass the image quality tests because of artifacts. The doses were within acceptable limits for all of the systems, but the doses for the CR systems were significantly higher than for the SF and DR systems.ConclusionsThe best image quality, at a reasonably low dose, was observed for the DR systems. The CR systems are capable of obtaining the same image quality as the SF systems, but only at a significantly higher dose. The ACR phantom can be routinely used to evaluate image quality for all types of mammographic systems.

The geometric accuracy of CT images is essential when they are used for planning radiation therapy. In this study, a method of quantitative testing of image rotation in CT is presented, based on the automated analysis of an image of a phantom half‐filled with water. A plug‐in was written for ImageJ software for automated detection of a water surface in an image and measurement of its angle relative to a horizontal line. A water phantom can be used for the evaluation of image rotation for axial mode. In helical mode the movement of the table would cause movement of the water. The difference between image rotation for axial and helical scans can be evaluated by measuring and comparing the angles of the tabletop surface for both modes. Preliminary results of measurements for three CT scanners show that image rotation does not exceed 0.5°, and is less than 0.1° for the dedicated CT simulator. It was observed that, for one CT scanner image, the rotation angle depended on tube rotation time.PACS number(s): 87.57.Q‐, 87.55.Qr, 06.30.Bp

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