TITLE:
A Derived Exposure Chart for Computed Radiography in a Negroid Population
AUTHORS:
Thomas Adejoh, Odira C. Ewuzie, Joshua K. Ogbonna, Stanley O. Nwefuru, Nnamdi C. Onuegbu
KEYWORDS:
Computed Radiography, Exposure, Radiographer, kVp, Tube Current, X-Ray
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.8 No.10,
July
15,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background: Computed radiography has a wider exposure latitude when compared with film-screen imaging system. Consequently, the risk of dose creep is high. A conscientious effort is there-fore, needed by the radiographer to keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable. Objective: To derive a computed radiography exposure chart for a negroid population using AGFA photostimulable phosphor plates and a GE static X-ray machine. Materials and Method: A static X-ray machine, a digitizer, and photostimulable phosphor plates were used for the X-ray examination. Chest examinations were done at a Focus-Film-Distance (FFD) of 150 - 180 cm while all other examinations were conducted at 90 - 100 cm FFD. The range of exposure factors (kVp, mA and mAs) used by radiog-raphers in the centre was noted and the 90th percentile calculated. Over a three-month period, the patients were examined with the 90th percentile of tube potential (kVp) while keeping other factors constant. The kVp was gradually decreased and halted if radiologists and radiographers uncon-nected with the work expressed misgivings about the quality of the image. A similar procedure was adopted for the tube current (mA). The threshold adopted as low as reasonably achievable was the factor preceding the point of observation by other personnel. Metrics for central tendency from the statistical packages for social sciences, version 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: 335 subjects of both gender aged 0 - 92 years were examined by the researchers. Adult exposure factors used by the radiographers (and those derived by the researchers) had a range of 45 - 130 kVp (62 - 94 kVp), 63 - 320 mA (100 - 250 mA) and 4.0 - 25.0 mAs (5.0 - 20.0 mAs) respectively. Pediatric chest (and researchers-derived) factors were 50 - 75 kVp (52 - 65 kVp), 50 - 250 mA (100 - 220 mA) and 3.20 - 10.0 mAs (3.2 - 6.5 mAs) respectively. Conclusion: Upper threshold of adult (and paediatric) exposure factors in computed radiography with comparable equipment and accessories should not exceed 94 kVp (65 kVp), 250 mA (220 mA) and 20.0 mAs (6.5 mAs) respectively. The derived exposure chart is also adequate to address motion unsharpness in chest examinations.