Impact of digital imaging on radiation doses to the patient during X-ray examination of the urinary tract.
OBJECTIVE
To compare radiation doses given to patients undergoing IVU (intravenous urography) before and after digitalization of our X-ray department.


METHODS
IVU examinations were monitored with dose area product meters before and after the X-ray department changed to digital techniques. The first step was a change from film-screen to storage phosphor plates, while the second step involved changing to a flat panel detector. Forty-two patients were included for the film-screen situation, 69 when using the storage phosphor plates, and 70 using the flat panel detector.


RESULTS
A dose reduction from 41.8 Gycm2 to 31.5 Gycm2 was achieved with the first step when the film-screen system was replaced with storage phosphor plates. A further reduction to 12.1 Gycm2 was achieved using the flat panel detector.


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of the flat panel detectors made a considerable dose reduction possible.
Sjöholm
B
B
Department of Medical Physics, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. Borge.Sjoholm@orebroll.se
Geijer
H
H
Persliden
J
J
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011874:Radiometry; D014567:Urography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens