Abstract 12670: Variability in Radiation Dose and Image Quality: A Comparison Across Fluoroscopy-system Vendors and Generations of Equipment.
INTRODUCTION: Increased recognition of the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation has spurred technological advances to reduce exposure during fluoroscopy. However there is currently little understanding of the dose-image quality (IQ) relationship between fluoroscopy vendors and across generations of equipment used for imaging during pediatric catheterization. METHODS: We evaluated latest generation fluoroscopy systems from Phillips, Siemens, GE and Toshiba, and an older generation Phillips system (2004 release). Fluoroscopy and cineangiography were performed on a tissue simulation anthropomorphic phantom using a standardized imaging approach. Phantom surface exposures were used for Monte Carlo simulations to calculate radiation effective dose, accounting for differences in beam parameters. We also imaged a fluoroscopy IQ phantom to assess contrast-detail and line-per-inch visualization. IQ images were scored by 3 blinded reviewers with scores averaged to produce a composite rating (scale 0-18). To assess the impact of imaging approach we then simulated a neonatal cardiac catheterization incorporating "typical" imaging protocols provided by institutions using the various systems. RESULTS: Effective doses and IQ scores are summarized in the table. Effective doses varied by >400% with the older generation system consistently delivering markedly higher doses. The associated figure summarizes dose and IQ for a simulated neonatal cardiac catheterization which accounts for measured doses as well as the reported institutional imaging parameters summarized in the figure legend. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate substantial technological improvements in fluoroscopy equipment and may be useful to justify institutional "upgrades". Comparing latest generation systems across vendors and institutions, we found variability in the dose-IQ relationship that reflects both equipment and imaging approach.
Duke Scholars
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- Cardiovascular System & Hematology
- 1117 Public Health and Health Services
- 1103 Clinical Sciences
- 1102 Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology
Citation
Published In
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Cardiovascular System & Hematology
- 1117 Public Health and Health Services
- 1103 Clinical Sciences
- 1102 Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology