title: Image quality and dose in lumbar spine examinations: results of a 5 year quality control programme following the European quality criteria trial.
abstract: The large dose values found for lumbar spine examinations in a centre participating in the European quality criteria trial have been investigated within a 5 year quality control programme. Actions focused mainly on optimizing the focus-to-film distance, tube potential (kV), film optical density and X-ray beam filtration. These actions lead to overall dose reductions of up to 75% in lumbo-sacral joint examinations and prove the need for a regular survey of patient skin doses.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vañó
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliete
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guibelalde
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011786:Quality Control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011859:Radiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards