Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre
Abstract Introduction Collimation of the primary beam is an important factor in radiography to reduce dose and improve image quality. The introduction of larger detector plates in direct digital radiography (DR) allows the exposed area to be calculated by removing cropping applied to the image. The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.630 |
| _version_ | 1811161978230538240 |
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| author | Sally Ball Megan McKerrow Andrew Murphy |
| author_facet | Sally Ball Megan McKerrow Andrew Murphy |
| author_sort | Sally Ball |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Collimation of the primary beam is an important factor in radiography to reduce dose and improve image quality. The introduction of larger detector plates in direct digital radiography (DR) allows the exposed area to be calculated by removing cropping applied to the image. The aim of this study was to assess whether the exposed area was larger than a reference standard across five different projections on different body types, with the reference size being the corresponding cassette size used in traditional film/screen or computed radiography (CR). Method A retrospective clinical audit of five common musculoskeletal radiographic projections (AP knee, AP shoulder, horizontal beam lateral hip, lateral cervical spine and lateral facial bones), of 359 patients was undertaken. The electronic cropping was removed from projections, and the superior–inferior, antero‐posterior and medio‐lateral collimation size was measured, depending on the projection. The two measurements were multiplied to give an exposed field of view area. The three measurements were compared with a reference standard, being the size of the corresponding cassette size used in the department on film/screen or computed radiography. Results From the five projections, 1071 measurements were analysed. 416 (38.8%) of these measurements were less than or equal to the agreed reference standard. 655 (61.2%) were greater than the agreed reference standard. Conclusion The study demonstrates that the majority (61.2%) of the measurements taken were above the reference standard. This results in an increase in radiation dose to patients and detrimental impacts on image quality. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:22:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-46918b8b55dd47a488ac4a19ee146214 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2051-3895 2051-3909 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:22:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-46918b8b55dd47a488ac4a19ee1462142023-03-02T03:09:49ZengWileyJournal of Medical Radiation Sciences2051-38952051-39092023-03-01701212910.1002/jmrs.630Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centreSally Ball0Megan McKerrow1Andrew Murphy2Department of Medical Imaging Princess Alexandra Hospital Brisbane AustraliaDepartment of Medical Imaging Princess Alexandra Hospital Brisbane AustraliaDepartment of Medical Imaging Princess Alexandra Hospital Brisbane AustraliaAbstract Introduction Collimation of the primary beam is an important factor in radiography to reduce dose and improve image quality. The introduction of larger detector plates in direct digital radiography (DR) allows the exposed area to be calculated by removing cropping applied to the image. The aim of this study was to assess whether the exposed area was larger than a reference standard across five different projections on different body types, with the reference size being the corresponding cassette size used in traditional film/screen or computed radiography (CR). Method A retrospective clinical audit of five common musculoskeletal radiographic projections (AP knee, AP shoulder, horizontal beam lateral hip, lateral cervical spine and lateral facial bones), of 359 patients was undertaken. The electronic cropping was removed from projections, and the superior–inferior, antero‐posterior and medio‐lateral collimation size was measured, depending on the projection. The two measurements were multiplied to give an exposed field of view area. The three measurements were compared with a reference standard, being the size of the corresponding cassette size used in the department on film/screen or computed radiography. Results From the five projections, 1071 measurements were analysed. 416 (38.8%) of these measurements were less than or equal to the agreed reference standard. 655 (61.2%) were greater than the agreed reference standard. Conclusion The study demonstrates that the majority (61.2%) of the measurements taken were above the reference standard. This results in an increase in radiation dose to patients and detrimental impacts on image quality.https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.630Collimationdigital radiographydose reductionimage qualityradiation dose |
| spellingShingle | Sally Ball Megan McKerrow Andrew Murphy Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences Collimation digital radiography dose reduction image quality radiation dose |
| title | Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre |
| title_full | Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre |
| title_fullStr | Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre |
| title_full_unstemmed | Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre |
| title_short | Do radiographers collimate? A retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre |
| title_sort | do radiographers collimate a retrospective analysis of radiographic collimation of common musculoskeletal examinations at an adult trauma centre |
| topic | Collimation digital radiography dose reduction image quality radiation dose |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.630 |
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