An Assessment of Image Quality of Radiographs in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital by Film Densitometry

Abstract

3000 radiographs covering chest, upper limb, lower limb,lumbar spine (AP) and skull (PA) from the University ofCalabar teaching hospital (UCTH) were retrospectivelystudied by densitometry to assess the degree of variationin radiographic contrast over a ten year period (1999 –2008). The results show that variation in meanradiographic contrast from year to year was statisticallyinsignificant (p < 0.05) for the respective projectionsstudied. This result implies a relatively basicstandardisation in image quality arising from consistencyin technique acquired over time. The results would serveas a baseline for developing a more robust qualityassurance programme in the hospital.