REDUCING PELVIS RADIOGRAPH EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN USING A DOSE SIMULATION X-RAY RESEARCH SOFTWARE.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiation Dose Optimization

Background:

• Pelvis radiography is a common diagnostic imaging procedure in pediatric care.
• Determining the minimum effective radiation dose is crucial for patient safety and reducing potential risks.
• Current protocols may not always reflect the lowest possible radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the minimum radiation dose for pediatric pelvis X-rays without sacrificing image quality.
• To evaluate the impact of reduced radiation doses on the diagnostic accuracy of pelvis radiographs in children.
• To assess the utility of dose simulation software in optimizing pediatric X-ray protocols.

Main Methods:

• Sixty children undergoing pelvis X-rays were divided into four weight-based groups.
• A specialized software simulated six reduced radiation doses (100% down to 32%) for each radiograph.
• Two radiologists blindly assessed the image quality of 360 radiographs using a Likert scale.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in image quality scoring was observed between the original dose and 80% dose simulations for children weighing 0-15 kg and over 35 kg.
• Inter-observer agreement for image quality assessment was moderate to very good.
• A potential 20% dose reduction is feasible in the studied pediatric population.

Conclusions:

• Pelvis X-ray radiation doses can be reduced by up to 20% in pediatric patients without compromising diagnostic image quality, particularly in specific weight categories.
• Dose simulation software serves as a valuable tool for radiation dose optimization processes in diagnostic imaging.
• Implementing these findings can lead to improved radiation safety for children undergoing pelvis radiography.