Introduction of digital radiography in paediatric imaging-5 years later

Abstract

Aim: An educational presentation at CSM 2009 conference reviewed the state of Direct Digital Radiography (DR) for paediatrics, based on experience at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane. Advantages and disadvantages of DR were highlighted in terms of user interface, exposures/dose, image processing, image display, system flexibility, and detector technology. Significant improvements to DR technology for paediatric requirements have occurred in the last 5 years. The current state of DR technology was reviewed to highlight these changes, and make recommendations for further improvement. Method: A review of the current state of DR for paediatric imaging based on user experience of new DR technology, and market research. Results: Improvements in the last 5 years include widespread availability of small format detectors, removable anti-scatter grids, paediatric specific image processing, user interfaces, and exposure techniques. Conclusion: There have been significant improvements to DR technology for paediatric imaging in the last 5 years. Some improvements to DR systems are still required, including more research on exposure presets, linking patient size specific exposure presets with image processing, and easier to move automated tube heads.L716154042014-09-13 <br />