title: [Study of image quality (contrast) and reduction of patient dose by using heavy metal filters].
abstract: We studied image quality (contrast) and patient dose reduction using heavy metal filters in lumbar spine and abdomen x-ray examination. Heavy metal filters used in this study are gadolinium, holmium and ytterbium and these combinations. These filters have k-absorption edge in the range from 50 to 70 keV. Image quality and patient dose in 70-90 kV tube voltage with heavy metal filters were compared with 80 kV tube voltage without filter. Image quality was improved in four percent and patient dose could be reduced by 30%. However, tube loading increased from 1.6 to 2.2 times. It was found that the best filter choices gave better image and reduced patient dose compared to without filter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University Hospital.
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oishi
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Ken-Ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwanaga
authors.forename: Ken-Ichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otsuka
authors.forename: Taizou
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sanada
mesh_terms: D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D005682:Gadolinium; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D015018:Ytterbium
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D005682:Gadolinium; D015018:Ytterbium; D006695:Holmium