Erbium filtration: a cost-effective, dose-reducing filter which maintains abdominal image quality

The current study investigated the effect of erbium filtration on an anteroposterior abdominal image. The radiation dose reductions achievable and the cost effectiveness of this filter were also evaluated. An assessment of the radiation dose delivered employing either the standard total filtration (3 mm Al equivalent) or 0.1 mm of erbium filtration added to the standard filtration was undertaken on 21 patients. Image quality was assessed using the Commission of European Communities (CEC) criteria. Significant reductions of 64.6 % in entrance surface (p = 0.0001) and 23.4 % in effective dose (p = 0.0099) were recorded with erbium filtration. Image quality was maintained and the cost per man saved was pound 128. More widespread use of this dose reducing filter is advocated.