Reducing the radiation exposure of patients and improving the X-ray imaging quality

The potentials and qualities of the blue and green film-screen combinations (FSC) suggested by the Fuji Company are outlined. Standard X-ray of scull, pelvis and lumbar vertebrae at equal thickness of the single objects are taken. Appropriate X-ray equipment and automatic film development at 28o are used. The exposure data are established experimentally and empirically (based on long operation experience), with the optimal X-ray images being analysed by four radiologists. Dosimetry is carried out by RANDO phantom with 10 ionizing chambers as detectors, evenly positioned on the surface of the object, at threefold exposure and recording of the integral absorbed dose in μGy. The obtained results show that both blue and green FSC produce excellent images of the objects being examined, e.g. optimal density of details, visualization of microstructural changes, excellent contrast with a wide range of gradation and clear-cut contours. The exposure data of the blue Fuji FSC are identical to the ones of blue films of other producers, routinely used in the daily practice. Whenever green FSC are employed as much as two times less exposure data are needed, contributing in turn ro a sparing operating regimen of the X-ray tube and a longer durability term. The skin dose absorbed by patients is 2 to 5 times lower