TY - JOUR

T1 - Collimation and Exposure Parameter Influence Image Quality and Potential Radiation Dose to the Eye Lens of Personnel in Computed Radiography of the Canine Pelvis

AU - Bisgaard, Malene

AU - McEvoy, Fintan J.

AU - Nielsen, Dorte Hald

AU - Allberg, Clara

AU - Müller, Anna V.

AU - Timm, Signe

AU - Meyer, Signe N.

AU - Johansen, Line Marie

AU - Pedersen, Stine

AU - Precht, Helle

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Bisgaard, McEvoy, Nielsen, Allberg, Müller, Timm, Meyer, Johansen, Pedersen and Precht.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of collimation on image quality and radiation dose to the eye lenses of the personnel involved in computed radiography of the canine pelvis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of canine pelvic radiographs (N = 54) was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between image quality and the degree of field the collimation used. This was followed by a prospective cadaver study (N = 18) that assessed the effects on image quality and on scattered radiation dose of different collimation field areas and exposure parameters. All radiographs were analyzed for image quality using a Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) with three observers. Finally, the potential scattered radiation dose to the eye lens of personnel restraining a dog for pelvic radiographs was measured. Results: The retrospective study showed a slightly better (statistically non-significant) VGA score for the radiographs with optimal collimation. Spatial and contrast resolution and image sharpness showed the greatest improvement in response to minimizing the collimation field. The prospective study showed slightly better VGA scores (improved image quality) with the optimal collimation. Increasing the exposure factors especially the tube current and exposure time (mAs) resulted in improved low contrast resolution and less noise in the radiographs. The potential eye lens radiation dose increased by 14, 28, and 40% [default exposures, increased the tube peak potential (kVp), increased mAs, respectively] as a result of reduced collimation (increased beam size). Conclusion: The degree of collimation has no statistically significant on image quality in canine pelvic radiology for the range of collimation used but does have an impact on potential radiation dose to personnel in the x-ray room. With regard to radiation safety, increases in kVp are associated with less potential scatter radiation exposure compared to comparable increases in mAs.

AB - Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of collimation on image quality and radiation dose to the eye lenses of the personnel involved in computed radiography of the canine pelvis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of canine pelvic radiographs (N = 54) was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between image quality and the degree of field the collimation used. This was followed by a prospective cadaver study (N = 18) that assessed the effects on image quality and on scattered radiation dose of different collimation field areas and exposure parameters. All radiographs were analyzed for image quality using a Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) with three observers. Finally, the potential scattered radiation dose to the eye lens of personnel restraining a dog for pelvic radiographs was measured. Results: The retrospective study showed a slightly better (statistically non-significant) VGA score for the radiographs with optimal collimation. Spatial and contrast resolution and image sharpness showed the greatest improvement in response to minimizing the collimation field. The prospective study showed slightly better VGA scores (improved image quality) with the optimal collimation. Increasing the exposure factors especially the tube current and exposure time (mAs) resulted in improved low contrast resolution and less noise in the radiographs. The potential eye lens radiation dose increased by 14, 28, and 40% [default exposures, increased the tube peak potential (kVp), increased mAs, respectively] as a result of reduced collimation (increased beam size). Conclusion: The degree of collimation has no statistically significant on image quality in canine pelvic radiology for the range of collimation used but does have an impact on potential radiation dose to personnel in the x-ray room. With regard to radiation safety, increases in kVp are associated with less potential scatter radiation exposure compared to comparable increases in mAs.

KW - canine pelvis

KW - collimation field

KW - computed radiography

KW - exposure parameters

KW - image quality

KW - optimization

KW - radiation safety

U2 - 10.3389/fvets.2021.684064

DO - 10.3389/fvets.2021.684064

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34970612

AN - SCOPUS:85121848631

VL - 8

JO - Frontiers in Veterinary Science

JF - Frontiers in Veterinary Science

SN - 2297-1769

M1 - 684064

ER -