Comprehensive optimization process of paranasal sinus radiography

Area of Science:

• Radiological imaging and optimization
• Medical physics and radiation protection

Background:

• Reducing patient radiation exposure during radiological examinations is crucial.
• Optimization of imaging protocols is essential for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize paranasal sinus radiography at Mikkeli Central Hospital.
• To evaluate and compare computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems for paranasal sinus imaging.

Main Methods:

• Patients were imaged using CR (n=20) and DR (n=30) systems with varying focus-detector distances (FDDs: 110, 150, 200 cm).
• Radiation exposure was measured (entrance surface dose, dose-area product), and doses within an anatomical phantom were estimated.
• Clinical and physical image quality were assessed by a radiologist and from a digital radiography phantom, respectively.

Main Results:

• The DR system demonstrated significantly lower patient doses and superior image quality compared to the CR system.
• Varying FDDs showed minimal impact on patient dose and physical image quality.
• Optimal clinical image quality with the DR system was achieved at an FDD of 150 cm, which also offered practical advantages for technologists.

Conclusions:

• The optimized DR system with an FDD of 150 cm is recommended for paranasal sinus radiography at Mikkeli Central Hospital.
• A comprehensive optimization approach is advised for all radiological examination protocols.
• Implementation of this optimized protocol enhances patient safety and diagnostic efficacy.