Relationship of Image Quality and Radiation Dose for Chest Radiography in the Medical Institutions for Pneumoconiosis: A Comparison to the Korean Diagnostic Reference Level

Abstract

Copyrights © 2012 The Korean Society of Radiology Purpose: To evaluate the relationship of image quality to the measurement of radiation dose for chest radiography in the medical institutions for pneumoconiosis (MIPs). Materials and Methods: Film-screen radiography (FSR) (n = 24) and digital radiography (DR) (n = 5) were used as chest radiography modalities. The entrance surface dose (ESD) was measured from the exposure conditions routinely used for chest radiography using an ionization chamber dosimeter. All images were randomly selected for evaluating image quality from each of the MIPs, and independently rated by two experienced radiologists using a 3-point scale. Results: ESD of DR was higher than FSR, excluding flat panel. However, image quality of DR was significantly higher than that of FSR, especially in flat panel and the charge-coupled device. ESD and tube voltage were not significantly correlated with image quality. DR more frequently exceeded the Korean diagnostic reference level for ESD than FSR (41.7% vs. 20.0%), though the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: DR used a higher radiation dose than FSR; however, there was a possibility of a radiation dose reduction in relation to image quality. We suggest that the MIPs transfer to a flat panel with automatic exposure control for a more effective radiation dose management. Index terms Radiography Image Quality Radiation Dosage Thoracic Relationship of Image Quality and Radiation Dose for Chest Radiography in the Medical Institutions for Pneumoconiosis: A Comparison to the Korean Diagnostic Reference Level 진폐요양기관에서 흉부방사선촬영을 위해 사용되는 선량과 화질의 관계: 국내 진단참고준위와 비교