Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Purpose

The periodic quality control of X-ray devices is important for obtaining optical medical images and determining the appropriate X-ray exposure dose. Additionally, the measurement of the X-ray output is constrained by time, technical aspects, and expenses. Therefore, we investigated the usefulness of a simple method for managing X-ray output using an Exposure Index (EI).

Methods

The entire surface of the flat panel detector was X-ray-irradiated every Friday at the time of end-of-work inspection under the condition that the recorded EI was approximately 1000. The EI and exposure dose were measured, and the linearity and accuracy were evaluated.

Results

The output gradually decreased from the start of the measurements in Room 1 and stabilized after the output was adjusted. The relationship between exposure dose and EI showed high linearity, with R² > 0.99, and the CV of EI was less than 2.41%, indicating high reproducibility.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the results of constancy tests can be easily quantified using EI. The EI method can manage the X-ray output with good reproducibility.

Keywords

constancy tests exposure index exposure dose flat panel detector digital radiography X-ray output

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Miyazaki

. Measurement of X-ray device output and its significance part 1. Jpn J Radiol Technol 2010; 66: 251–259.

Abe

Negishi

Ogura

, et al. The development of an X-ray quality control project in Tokyo metropolitan hospitals. Tokyo J Health Sci 2004; 7: 94–102.

Miyazaki

. Measurement of X-ray device output and its significance part 2. Jpn J Radiol Technol 2010; 66: 389–398.

Sato

Saito

Miyazono

, et al. Report based on fiscal 2010 diagnostic X-ray equipment questionnaire survey (conditions of X-ray units and similar equipment). Jpn J Radiol Technol 2014; 70: 1455–1462.

Ogura

Negishi

Numano

. X-ray generation by X-ray tubes. In: Radiology equipment science (I). Tokyo: Corona Publishing, 2015, pp.7–10.

Japan Medical Imaging and Radiological Systems Industries Association. Diagnostic X-ray system configuration units. In: Handbook of medical imaging and radiological equipment. Tokyo: Nago Art Printing Co., 2007, pp.8–59.

Spellman, SECTION4 AN-2. Common X-ray tube failure modes. In: High voltage reference manual. NY: Spellman, 2022, pp.41–49.

Tanaka

. Study of the usefulness of the constancy tests in X-rays image proceeding device by user. Jpn J Radiol Technol 2019; 75: 322–330.

Kishimoto

Ariga

Ishigaki

, et al. Study of appropriate dosing in consideration of image quality and patient dose on the digital radiography. Jpn J Radiol Technol 2011; 67: 1381–1397.

10.

Ariga

. Evaluation of calibration error for applying exposure Index. Jpn J Radiol Technol 2011; 67: 1433–1437.

11.

Kuniyoshi

. Concept and utilization method of the new index “exposure Index: eI” for dose evaluation between devices. Innervision 2012; 27: 14–18.

12.

Kanda

. Investigation of the freely-available easy-to-use software “EZR” (Easy R) for medical statistics. Bone Marrow Transplant 2013; 48: 452–458. advance online publication 3 December 2012.

13.

Evaluation and routine testing in medical imaging departments- Part 2-11: constancy tests-equipment for general direct radiography. In: JIS Handbook radiation. Tokyo: Japanese Standards Association, 2005, pp.1892–2009.

The usefulness of X-ray output management in general radiography systems using exposure index