Effect of quaternary ammonium disinfection on image quality and structural integrity of photostimulable phosphor plates

To evaluate the effect of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfection on the radiographic image quality and chemical integrity of photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.

Radiographic image quality was assessed using 2 radiographs of an acrylic-block and 2 radiographs of an aluminum step-wedge acquired before disinfection and after 10 groups with 10 disinfections each. These radiographs were acquired with 2 PSP plates. Brightness, noise, uniformity, contrast, and presence of artifacts were analyzed. Analysis of variance compared gray values between disinfections (α = 0.05). Chemical integrity was assessed using mid-infrared Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on the PSP plates tube side, comparing disinfected plates with a non-disinfected control. Metal disk corrosion of the plates was visually inspected.

Brightness decreased after 100 disinfections compared with radiographs obtained after 20 disinfections (P = .026). Uniformity increased for all disinfection groups compared with baseline radiographs (P < .001). Radiographs obtained after 100 disinfections showed higher contrast than those acquired after 20 disinfections (P = .005). Noise did not differ (P > .05). Artifacts were observed after 40 disinfections. Fourier-transform infrared analysis showed hydration followed by degradation of the PSP plates after 100 disinfections. Metal disk corrosion occurred after 10 disinfections.

Quaternary ammonium compound disinfection affected brightness, uniformity, contrast, produced artifacts, chemical changes, and metal disk corrosion of the PSP plates.

This study is the first to assess the impact of disinfecting PSP plates with QAC. Results showed that QAC is not a viable option since its use produced changes in image quality and integrity degradation.