Improving pediatric radiation dose management using Agfa digital radiography DICOM header information

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Pediatric Imaging

Background:

• Children exhibit heightened sensitivity to ionizing radiation, making dose reduction in pediatric radiography a critical concern.
• Minimizing radiation exposure is paramount for safeguarding pediatric patients during diagnostic imaging procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel technique for controlling and assessing radiation dose delivered during pediatric radiographic examinations.
• To ensure radiation doses in pediatric patients remain within regulatory limits, preventing excessive exposure.

Main Methods:

• A computer science program was developed to calculate the entrance skin dose (ESD).
• The program utilizes the "lgM" parameter extracted from DICOM files generated by an AGFA radiology digital system.
• Calculated ESD values are systematically compared against established regulatory dose limits.

Main Results:

• The developed technique successfully calculates the entrance skin dose (ESD) for pediatric radiographic exams.
• The system allows for the comparison of delivered doses against regulatory benchmarks.
• This facilitates the identification of potential cases of excessive radiation exposure in children.

Conclusions:

• The implemented computer science program provides a reliable method for monitoring and controlling radiation dose in pediatric radiography.
• This technique supports the optimization of radiation safety practices in pediatric imaging, aiming for future clinical implementation.
• Ensuring compliance with dose limits is essential for protecting the pediatric population from unnecessary radiation exposure.