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Moore CS, Wood T, Balcam S, Needler L, Guest T, Ngu WP, Chong LW, Saunderson J, Beavis A. Optimisation of tube voltage range (kVp) for AP abdomen, pelvis and spine imaging of average patients with a digital radiography (DR) imaging system using a computer simulator. Br J Radiol 2020; 93:20200565. [DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20200565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate via computer simulation, an optimised tube voltage (kVp) range for caesium iodide (CsI)-based digital radiography (DR) of the abdomen, pelvis and lumbar spine. Methods: Software capable of simulating abdomen, pelvis and spine radiographs was used. Five evaluators graded clinical image criteria in images of 20 patients at tube voltages ranging from 60 to 120 kVp in 10 kVp increments. These criteria were scored blindly against the same patient reconstructed at a specific reference kVp. Linear mixed effects analysis was used to evaluate image scores for each criterion and test for statistical significance. Results: Score was dependent on tube voltage and image criteria; both were statistically significant. All criteria for all anatomies scored very poorly at 60 kVp. Scores for abdomen, pelvis and spine imaging peaked at 70, 70 and 100 kVp, respectively, but other kVp values were not significantly poorer. Conclusions: Results indicate optimum tube voltages of 70 kVp for abdomen and pelvis (with an optimum range 70–120 kVp), and 100 kVp (optimum range 80–120 kVp) for lumbar spine. Advances in knowledge: There are no recommendations for optimised tube voltage parameters for DR abdomen, pelvis or lumbar spine imaging. This study has investigated and recommended an optimal tube voltage range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Steven Moore
- Medical Physics Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Tim Wood
- Medical Physics Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Stephen Balcam
- Radiology Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Liam Needler
- Radiology Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Tim Guest
- Radiology Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Wee Ping Ngu
- Radiology Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Lee Wun Chong
- Radiology Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - John Saunderson
- Medical Physics Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Andrew Beavis
- Medical Physics Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Road, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
- Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB, UK
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