The study of tube voltage selection influencing image quality in digital chest radiography

Abstract

Objective To study the relationship between the selection of tube tension in digitalchest radiograph and image quality.Methods When tube current was fixed at 4 mAs, the choice of X-ray tube voltage changed from 60 to 120 kV.CDRAD2.0 contrast details phantom and normal human chest were exposed by X-ray system with 7 kinds of tube voltage (the difference between tube voltage was 10 kV) ,and the X-ray incidental dose of phantom surface was measured.Five radiologists with 3 years working experience evaluated the image quality on monitor and calculated the image quality factor (IQF) and image reading score.Statistics analysis was then performed by using ANOVA test and t test.According to the results, the optimum tube voltage range was determined.Results (1) The incidental dose of phantom surface increased with the higher tube voltage.(2)When the tube voltage was changed from 60 kV to 120 kV, the IQF value observed in CDRAD2.0 phantom image on monitor was 75.0±10.4,57.1±6.4,52.7±2.5,47.9±4.5, 46.0±3.8,46.0±2.8,45.2±3.5 ,there was significant statistical differences between groups(F=19.10, P 0.05).Conclusions (1)With the increase of tube tension,the display capacity of display device gradually strengthened.When the tube tension exceeded 90 kV, the increase of image quality on monitor was not evident.(2) With proper radiation dose, the value of tube tension in digital X-ray chest photograph was about 90 kV. Key words: Radiography, thoracic; Quality control; Liquid crystal display; Image quality factor; Image reading