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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 9/2008

Open Access 01-09-2008 | Chest

Digital chest radiography: an update on modern technology, dose containment and control of image quality

Authors: Cornelia Schaefer-Prokop, Ulrich Neitzel, Henk W. Venema, Martin Uffmann, Mathias Prokop

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2008

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Abstract

The introduction of digital radiography not only has revolutionized communication between radiologists and clinicians, but also has improved image quality and allowed for further reduction of patient exposure. However, digital radiography also poses risks, such as unnoticed increases in patient dose and suboptimum image processing that may lead to suppression of diagnostic information. Advanced processing techniques, such as temporal subtraction, dual-energy subtraction and computer-aided detection (CAD) will play an increasing role in the future and are all targeted to decrease the influence of distracting anatomic background structures and to ease the detection of focal and subtle lesions. This review summarizes the most recent technical developments with regard to new detector techniques, options for dose reduction and optimized image processing. It explains the meaning of the exposure indicator or the dose reference level as tools for the radiologist to control the dose. It also provides an overview over the multitude of studies conducted in recent years to evaluate the options of these new developments to realize the principle of ALARA. The focus of the review is hereby on adult applications, the relationship between dose and image quality and the differences between the various detector systems.
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Metadata
Title
Digital chest radiography: an update on modern technology, dose containment and control of image quality
Authors
Cornelia Schaefer-Prokop
Ulrich Neitzel
Henk W. Venema
Martin Uffmann
Mathias Prokop
Publication date
01-09-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 9/2008
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0948-3

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