title: [Pediatric thoracic spine radiographs: Comparison of two scintillators].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare image quality and radiation exposure from pediatric thoracic spine radiographs from two systems, one using a granular structure scintillator and another using a needle structure scintillator with 40% reduction of exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized prospective study of 296 patients divided into 2 groups of 5 weight categories from 4 to 60 kg. Standard technique parameters are used for granular structure scintillators with dose reduction of 40% applied for needle structure scintillators based on results from a phantom study. Image quality based on detectability of 8 anatomical structures for both types of scintillators was assessed by 6 blinded radiologists. Exposure was expressed by DLP. Results underwent statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, image quality was superior with corresponding dose reduction between 33-46% according to weight with needle structure scintillators. For the 4 lower weight categories, image quality was identical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With image quality at least equal, new needle structure scintillator units allow a dose reduction of about 40%.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiopédiatrie, Hôpital de la Timone, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Desvignes
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gorincour
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fau
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Loundou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aschero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bourlière
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devred
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015588:Observer Variation; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000592:standards; D011874:Radiometry; D012588:Scintillation Counting