J Korean Soc Radiol.  2012 Mar;66(3):255-262. 10.3348/jksr.2012.66.3.255.

Relationship of Image Quality and Radiation Dose for Chest Radiography in the Medical Institutions for Pneumoconiosis: A Comparison to the Korean Diagnostic Reference Level

• Lee WJ
• Kim SJ
• Park JS
• Seon JR

• KMID: 1439422
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2012.66.3.255

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the relationship of image quality to the measurement of radiation dose for chest radiography in the medical institutions for pneumoconiosis (MIPs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Film-screen radiography (FSR) (n = 24) and digital radiography (DR) (n = 5) were used as chest radiography modalities. The entrance surface dose (ESD) was measured from the exposure conditions routinely used for chest radiography using an ionization chamber dosimeter. All images were randomly selected for evaluating image quality from each of the MIPs, and independently rated by two experienced radiologists using a 3-point scale.
RESULTS
ESD of DR was higher than FSR, excluding flat panel. However, image quality of DR was significantly higher than that of FSR, especially in flat panel and the charge-coupled device. ESD and tube voltage were not significantly correlated with image quality. DR more frequently exceeded the Korean diagnostic reference level for ESD than FSR (41.7% vs. 20.0%), though the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
DR used a higher radiation dose than FSR; however, there was a possibility of a radiation dose reduction in relation to image quality. We suggest that the MIPs transfer to a flat panel with automatic exposure control for a more effective radiation dose management.

MeSH Terms

Pneumoconiosis
Radiation Dosage
Radiographic Image Enhancement
Thorax