[Applications of digital radiology to pediatric uroradiology]

The authors report their 4 years' experience with a computerized digital radiographic system based on photostimulable phosphor plates which was used mostly in pediatric radiology. Major protection advantages were observed for uroradiology where high kV (90-95 kV) and very low exposure times (0.02-0.010s) were used. With this radiographic technique reduced exposure parallels increased graininess due to quantum mottle: the two variables must therefore be balanced not to decrease diagnostic accuracy. During our 4 years' experience, 368 examinations were performed on pediatric patients: 252 micturition cystourethographs, 81 urograms and 35 retrograde pyelographs. None of these examinations needed to be repeated due to over/under-exposure and image quality was always high, in spite of a light "noise". Digital radiography in pediatric urology allows radiation dose to be reduced and high quality images to be acquired and is therefore likely to take over conventional radiologic techniques.