[Anatomically shaped, unsharp, lead-containing acrylic glass filter for optimization of thoracic roentgenography]

Acrylic glass filters fitted near to the tube and shaped according to the patient's anatomy with a lead equivalent of 120 mu enhance the diagnostic value of a plain radiograph of the chest with 95% of the patients. The pulmonary vessels and mediastinal structures can be assessed on film. Compared with the X-ray film without filter, the pulmonary vessels are visualised with equal clarity. Accurate adjustment of the patient is facilitated by the fact that the filter limits show up in the light viewfinder. Repeat X-ray films are necessary in less than 2% of the case. Artifacts are caused by anatomical chest variations as well as by large patients, and hence the use of the filter should be omitted in about 5% of the patients.