Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department
X-ray imaging protocols in radiology departments often exhibit variability in exposure parameters and geometric setups, leading to inconsistencies in image quality and potential variations in patient dose. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to harmonise and optimise chest and pelvis X-r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1450 |
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| author | Ahmed Jibril Abdi Kasper Rørdam Jensen Pia Iben Pietersen Janni Jensen Rune Lau Hovgaard Ask Kristian Aas Holmboe Sofie Gregersen |
| author_facet | Ahmed Jibril Abdi Kasper Rørdam Jensen Pia Iben Pietersen Janni Jensen Rune Lau Hovgaard Ask Kristian Aas Holmboe Sofie Gregersen |
| author_sort | Ahmed Jibril Abdi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | X-ray imaging protocols in radiology departments often exhibit variability in exposure parameters and geometric setups, leading to inconsistencies in image quality and potential variations in patient dose. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to harmonise and optimise chest and pelvis X-ray imaging protocols by standardising exposure parameters and geometric setups across departmental systems, minimising radiation dose while ensuring adequate image quality for accurate diagnosis. <b>Methods</b>: The image quality of five pelvic and three chest protocols across different radiographic systems was evaluated both quantitatively and visually. Visual image quality for both chest and pelvis protocols was assessed by radiologists and radiographers using the Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) method. Additionally, the quantitative image quality figure inverse (<i>IQF<sub>inv</sub></i>) metric for all protocols was determined using the CDRAD image quality phantom. Moreover, the patient radiation dose for both chest and pelvis protocols was evaluated using dose area product (DAP) values measured by the systems’ built-in DAP metres. <b>Results</b>: Different quantitative image quality and radiation dose to patients were achieved in various protocol settings for both chest and pelvis examinations, but the visual image quality assessment showed satisfactory image quality for all observers in both the pelvis and chest protocols. The selected protocols for harmonising chest radiography across all imaging systems result in reduced radiation exposure for patients while maintaining adequate image quality compared to the previously used system-specific protocol. <b>Conclusions</b>: The clinical protocol for chest and pelvis radiography has been standardised and optimised in accordance with patient radiation exposure and image quality. This approach aligns with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, ensuring optimal diagnostic information while minimising the radiation risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1249ef7498fa4cd7b5d4f0f926aeb2b4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-1249ef7498fa4cd7b5d4f0f926aeb2b42025-08-20T03:26:52ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-06-011512145010.3390/diagnostics15121450Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology DepartmentAhmed Jibril Abdi0Kasper Rørdam Jensen1Pia Iben Pietersen2Janni Jensen3Rune Lau Hovgaard4Ask Kristian Aas Holmboe5Sofie Gregersen6Department of Clinical Engineering, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, J. B. Winsløws Vej 4, 5000 Odense, DenmarkDepartment of Clinical Engineering, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, J. B. Winsløws Vej 4, 5000 Odense, DenmarkResearch and Innovation Unit of Radiology, University of Southern Denmark, Kløvervænget 10, 5000 Odense, DenmarkResearch and Innovation Unit of Radiology, University of Southern Denmark, Kløvervænget 10, 5000 Odense, DenmarkDepartment of Radiology, Odense University Hospital, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700 Svendborg, DenmarkDepartment of Radiology, Odense University Hospital, Baagøes Allé 15, 5700 Svendborg, DenmarkDepartment of Clinical Engineering, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, J. B. Winsløws Vej 4, 5000 Odense, DenmarkX-ray imaging protocols in radiology departments often exhibit variability in exposure parameters and geometric setups, leading to inconsistencies in image quality and potential variations in patient dose. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to harmonise and optimise chest and pelvis X-ray imaging protocols by standardising exposure parameters and geometric setups across departmental systems, minimising radiation dose while ensuring adequate image quality for accurate diagnosis. <b>Methods</b>: The image quality of five pelvic and three chest protocols across different radiographic systems was evaluated both quantitatively and visually. Visual image quality for both chest and pelvis protocols was assessed by radiologists and radiographers using the Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) method. Additionally, the quantitative image quality figure inverse (<i>IQF<sub>inv</sub></i>) metric for all protocols was determined using the CDRAD image quality phantom. Moreover, the patient radiation dose for both chest and pelvis protocols was evaluated using dose area product (DAP) values measured by the systems’ built-in DAP metres. <b>Results</b>: Different quantitative image quality and radiation dose to patients were achieved in various protocol settings for both chest and pelvis examinations, but the visual image quality assessment showed satisfactory image quality for all observers in both the pelvis and chest protocols. The selected protocols for harmonising chest radiography across all imaging systems result in reduced radiation exposure for patients while maintaining adequate image quality compared to the previously used system-specific protocol. <b>Conclusions</b>: The clinical protocol for chest and pelvis radiography has been standardised and optimised in accordance with patient radiation exposure and image quality. This approach aligns with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, ensuring optimal diagnostic information while minimising the radiation risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1450protocol optimisationchest radiographypelvis radiographyvisual grading analysis (VGA)quantitative image quality |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed Jibril Abdi Kasper Rørdam Jensen Pia Iben Pietersen Janni Jensen Rune Lau Hovgaard Ask Kristian Aas Holmboe Sofie Gregersen Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department Diagnostics protocol optimisation chest radiography pelvis radiography visual grading analysis (VGA) quantitative image quality |
| title | Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department |
| title_full | Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department |
| title_fullStr | Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department |
| title_full_unstemmed | Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department |
| title_short | Standardisation and Optimisation of Chest and Pelvis X-Ray Imaging Protocols Across Multiple Radiography Systems in a Radiology Department |
| title_sort | standardisation and optimisation of chest and pelvis x ray imaging protocols across multiple radiography systems in a radiology department |
| topic | protocol optimisation chest radiography pelvis radiography visual grading analysis (VGA) quantitative image quality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1450 |
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