A universal phantom suitable for quality assurance on X-ray imaging modalities

Abstract

Background Diagnostic radiology X-ray imaging modalities include general projection radiography, fluoroscopy, mammography and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Medical radiology requires quality images that allow accurate diagnosis of medical conditions. Consistent image quality is enabled using suitable phantoms. Purpose To manufacture, test, and validate a universal image quality assurance (U-QA) phantom which is compact, unique, non-modality specific, easy and quick to use, and cost-effective. Material and Methods The phantom discussed in this publication is an improved version of a previously described prototype. It was made from high density polyethylene and housed several inserts of different materials to comprehensively asses image quality. Data analysis software was developed for analysis of obtained images and a complete step-by-step user’s manual was prepared. Reproducibility testing was performed using the South African Department of Health (DoH) specified limits. Independent validation of the phantom package was performed by three independent medical physicists. Results The U-QA phantom and accompanying data analysis software produced reproducible results for all imaging modalities within the accepted DoH tolerance levels. The independent validation results proofed that the phantom package was easy to transport, of light weight, compact, easy to set-up and use, versatile, cost-effective and user-friendly. Conclusion It may be concluded that the U-QA phantom, with accompanying data analysis software and user’s manual, offers an acceptable single phantom solution for medical X-ray imaging. It is a cost and time saver and could therefore fill a gap in the existing market. The phantom could also be used by radiographers in resource-limited institutions.

Calculation Model of X-Ray Computed Tomography with Density Assessment Function

“…We come to the same conclusion as a result of comparing Figs. 4b and 4c with the reconstructed images of the cross sections of a universal phantom for computed tomography with similar fragments [33]. In both cases, the accuracy of density estimation for similar fragment materials is not inferior to the corresponding experimental values from [32].…”

Development of scalable lymphatic system in the 4D XCAT phantom: Application to quantitative evaluation of lymphoma PET segmentations

“…Delineating the ground truth for human subjects, such as the location or volume of a lesion, is fundamentally a time‐consuming and challenging task to perform within research studies 4,5 . Phantoms are routinely used in imaging research and clinical practice to assess image quality and quantitative accuracy of images 6–10 . However, few phantoms emulate the anatomical structures and heterogeneity features that are present in human subjects with a high degree of realism.…”

“…4,5 Phantoms are routinely used in imaging research and clinical practice to assess image quality and quantitative accuracy of images. [6][7][8][9][10] However, few phantoms emulate the anatomical structures and heterogeneity features that are present in human subjects with a high degree of realism. Additionally, many phantoms do not provide users with the flexibility to modify anatomical structures [11][12][13] ; thus making it difficult to represent variation between patients.…”