Determination of gold standard techniques for skull and chest in pediatric computed radiography

Abstract

Pediatric patients are more radiosensitivity and have a longer life expectancy than adults, thus exposing them to a greater risk of developing cancer. The most appropriate radiographic technique for pediatric radiology involves the best relationship between radiological protection and the appropriate exposure in imaging detector. The aim of this study was to optimize pediatric radiographic techniques for skull and chest in the Agfa CR85-X system. The homogeneous pediatric phantoms, IC (infant chest) and IS (infant skull), were used to evaluate physical quantifies such as effective detective quantum efficiency (eDQE). The choice of Gold Standard techniques was based upon comparison with a previous work, in which the optimization of adult techniques was realized. All Gold Standard techniques are according to the ALARA principle in which a sufficient image quality is associated with the lowest entrance skin dose possible.