title: Correlation of image quality with exposure index and processing protocol in a computed radiography system.
abstract: The correlation of image quality with the exposure index (EI) and the processing protocol was investigated in a Kodak computed radiography (CR) system using clinical radiographs and a water phantom containing an aluminium and a copper step-wedge. The phantom was exposed to different dose levels and the acquired images were processed using four clinical protocols. The quality of these images was evaluated in terms of image brightness, contrast and noise. In clinical radiographs, there was no straightforward correlation of image quality with EI. In phantom images, higher EI values improved contrast and reduced noise but after a point this improvement does not justify the implied increase in patient dose. Image brightness, contrast and noise were also strongly dependent on the processing protocol. To obtain the images of satisfactory quality with the Kodak CR system, a dose slightly higher than those used in 400 relative speed screen-film systems and a processing protocol designated for the specific radiographic examination are required.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Department, Agios Savvas Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 115 22 Athens, Greece. j_tsalas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Tsalafoutas
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Blastaris
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moutsatsos
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Chios
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Efstathopoulos
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens