Impact of body part thickness on AP pelvis radiographic image quality and effective dose

Abstract

I m p a c t of b o dy p a r t t hi c k n e s s o n AP p elvis r a dio g r a p hi c i m a g e q u ality a n d eff e c tiv e d o s e Alzyo u d, K, H o g g , P a n d E n gl a n d, A h t t p:// dx.

The complete evaluation of tube potential on clinical image quality when using direct digital detectors for pelvis and lumbar spine radiography

“…It is also likely that the term high kV may have different means depending on the examination area, for example chest radiography. The authors accept that other tube potentials should be studied and that their work confirms several previously reported trends 3,4 …”

“…The authors accept that other tube potentials should be studied and that their work confirms several previously reported trends. 3,4 There are several methodological points we would like the authors to consider. A potential problem in this paper is that there are clearly a number of different image acquisition protocols in operation within the study institution, could the authors confirm why this is the case?…”

“…Rather than standardising patient size between experimental groups, we believe it important to test a range of patient sizes which would be more clinically relevant. 4 In doing so, it is important to understand whether optimisation methods, such as high tube potentials, work consistently across all patient sizes. With rising levels of obesity, 6 this is likely for this issue to become even more important.…”

“…Deviation Index (DI) also has widely reported frailties 5 and as such does not necessarily imply either adequate exposure or image quality. Rather than standardising patient size between experimental groups, we believe it important to test a range of patient sizes which would be more clinically relevant 4 . In doing so, it is important to understand whether optimisation methods, such as high tube potentials, work consistently across all patient sizes.…”

An explanation of the limitations relating to ‘An evaluation of the effect of tube potential on clinical image quality using direct digital detectors for pelvis and lumbar spine radiographs’ and the reasoning behind the study – Authors response to letter to the editor

“…We also acknowledge the study by Alzyoud et.al that concludes that optimal visual grading for pelvis images occurs at 70 and 75 kVp, 3 and however, the aim of our study was not to identify which of the 2 kVp values assessed were optimal, but rather, to validate that increasing kVp did not significantly degrade the image quality. The study by Alzyoud et.al also acknowledge that the higher kVp values provide dose reduction, 3 which was the impetus for our study. The department protocol at our institution has now permanently changed to the use of the higher kVp values for pelvis and lumbar spine imaging.…”