EVALUATION OF DOSE REDUCTION POTENTIALS OF A NOVEL SCATTER CORRECTION SOFTWARE FOR BEDSIDE CHEST X-RAY IMAGING

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Radiation Dose Reduction

Background:

• Bedside chest X-rays (CXRs) are crucial for catheter placement verification in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Routine CXRs contribute significantly to cumulative patient radiation dose.
• Reducing radiation exposure during diagnostic imaging is a key clinical objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose reduction potential of a novel X-ray scatter correction software, SkyFlow.
• To compare the performance of scatter correction with and without an antiscatter grid in bedside CXR.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a thoracic phantom with various catheters (portacath, central venous, dialysis) for experimental setup.
• Acquired chest X-rays (CXRs) with varying tube voltage and current settings, with and without an antiscatter grid.
• Assessed image quality using diagnostic exposure index (EI) ranges and subjective evaluation by three radiologists.

Main Results:

• Using an antiscatter grid required double the mAs compared to non-grid imaging to achieve diagnostic exposure index (EI).
• SkyFlow software significantly enhanced image quality for non-grid CXRs.
• Antiscatter grid imaging provided superior image contrast compared to grid-less imaging with scatter correction.

Conclusions:

• SkyFlow software offers a promising method for improving image quality in scatter-corrected, grid-less bedside chest X-rays.
• This technology may facilitate radiation dose reduction in the ICU setting.
• Balancing image quality, radiation dose, and the use of antiscatter grids remains a critical consideration in clinical practice.