Management of pediatric radiation dose using Philips digital radiography

Digital radiography systems based on flat-panel detectors have been introduced into clinical practice in the past few years. The high detective quantum efficiency of these detectors allows the radiation dose to be reduced while maintaining image quality, an issue particularly significant for pediatric radiography. Another important aspect for dose optimization and monitoring is the integration of the detector into a computer-controlled x-ray examination system. This enables full control and complete reporting of all dose-relevant exposure parameters, including the determination of the exposure indicator and the patient dose (kerma-area product). In this paper the implementation of these principles in the Philips Digital Diagnost DR system is described and their relevance for pediatric applications is discussed.