[Study of image quality (contrast) and reduction of patient dose by using heavy metal filters].
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.
Oishi
Yona
Y
Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University Hospital.
Sano
Yuichi
Y
Yoshida
Ken-Ichi
K
Iwanaga
Hideyuki
H
Yasui
Ken-Ichiro
K
Fujimoto
Kazuo
K
Nishimura
Hiroko
H
Otsuka
Akiyoshi
A
Sanada
Taizou
T
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
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D005682:Gadolinium; D015018:Ytterbium; D006695:Holmium