title: Digital radiography: optimization of image quality and dose using multi-frequency software.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  New developments in processing of digital radiographs (DR), including multi-frequency processing (MFP), allow optimization of image quality and radiation dose. This is particularly promising in children as they are believed to be more sensitive to ionizing radiation than adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether the use of MFP software reduces the radiation dose without compromising quality at DR of the femur in 5-year-old-equivalent anthropomorphic and technical phantoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 110 images of an anthropomorphic phantom were imaged on a DR system (Canon DR with CXDI-50 C detector and MLT[S] software) and analyzed by three pediatric radiologists using Visual Grading Analysis. In addition, 3,500 images taken of a technical contrast-detail phantom (CDRAD 2.0) provide an objective image-quality assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Optimal image-quality was maintained at a dose reduction of 61% with MLT(S) optimized images. Even for images of diagnostic quality, MLT(S) provided a dose reduction of 88% as compared to the reference image. Software impact on image quality was found significant for dose (mAs), dynamic range dark region and frequency band.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By optimizing image processing parameters, a significant dose reduction is possible without significant loss of image quality.
authors.affiliation: Conrad Research Center, University College Lillebelt, Blangstedgårdsvej 4, 5220 Odense SØ, Denmark. hepr@ucl.dk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Precht
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gerke
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rosendahl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tingberg
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waaler
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software