Adrian A Sánchez1, Ingrid Reiser2, Tina Baxter2, Yue Zhang2, Joshua H Finkle2, Zheng Feng Lu2, Kate A Feinstein2. 1. Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC2026, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. adrianalberto@uchicago.edu. 2. Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC2026, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Default pediatric protocols on many digital radiography systems are configured based on patient age. However, age does not adequately characterize patient size, which is the principal determinant of proper imaging technique. Use of default pediatric protocols by inexperienced technologists can result in patient overexposure, inadequate image quality, or repeated examinations. OBJECTIVE: To ensure diagnostic image quality at a well-managed patient radiation exposure by transitioning to thickness-based protocols for pediatric portable abdomen radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We aggregated patient thickness data, milliamperes (mAs), kilovoltage peak (kVp), exposure index (EI), source-to-detector distance, and grid use for all portable abdomen radiographs performed in our pediatric hospital in a database with a combination of automated and manual data collection techniques. We then analyzed the database and used it as the basis to construct thickness-based protocols with consistent image quality across varying patient thicknesses, as determined by the EI. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of pediatric portable exams performed at our adult-focused hospitals demonstrated substantial variability in EI relative to our pediatric hospital. Data collection at our pediatric hospital over 4 months accumulated roughly 800 portable abdomen exams, which we used to develop a thickness-based technique chart. CONCLUSION: Through automated retrieval of data in our systems' digital radiography exposure logs and recording of patient abdomen thickness, we successfully developed thickness-based techniques for portable abdomen radiography.
BACKGROUND: Default pediatric protocols on many digital radiography systems are configured based on patient age. However, age does not adequately characterize patient size, which is the principal determinant of proper imaging technique. Use of default pediatric protocols by inexperienced technologists can result in patient overexposure, inadequate image quality, or repeated examinations. OBJECTIVE: To ensure diagnostic image quality at a well-managed patient radiation exposure by transitioning to thickness-based protocols for pediatric portable abdomen radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We aggregated patient thickness data, milliamperes (mAs), kilovoltage peak (kVp), exposure index (EI), source-to-detector distance, and grid use for all portable abdomen radiographs performed in our pediatric hospital in a database with a combination of automated and manual data collection techniques. We then analyzed the database and used it as the basis to construct thickness-based protocols with consistent image quality across varying patient thicknesses, as determined by the EI. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of pediatric portable exams performed at our adult-focused hospitals demonstrated substantial variability in EI relative to our pediatric hospital. Data collection at our pediatric hospital over 4 months accumulated roughly 800 portable abdomen exams, which we used to develop a thickness-based technique chart. CONCLUSION: Through automated retrieval of data in our systems' digital radiography exposure logs and recording of patient abdomen thickness, we successfully developed thickness-based techniques for portable abdomen radiography.
Authors: Quentin T Moore; Steven Don; Marilyn J Goske; Keith J Strauss; Mervyn Cohen; Tracy Herrmann; Robert Macdougall; Lauren Noble; Greg Morrison; Susan D John; Lois Lehman Journal: Radiol Technol Date: 2012 Sep-Oct
Authors: Patricia L Kleinman; Keith J Strauss; David Zurakowski; Kevin S Buckley; George A Taylor Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 3.959
Authors: Steven Don; Robert Macdougall; Keith Strauss; Quentin T Moore; Marilyn J Goske; Mervyn Cohen; Tracy Herrmann; Susan D John; Lauren Noble; Greg Morrison; Lois Lehman; Bruce R Whiting Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2013-05 Impact factor: 3.959