Establishment and application of methodologies for optimizing imaging techniques in digital radiology

Abstract

Diagnostic radiology has experienced remarkable advances in the last decades, with the development of digital image receptors. The migration of conventional to digital radiology is resulting of the advantages of digital detectors, resulting in a better image quality. However, optimization studies should be performed in order to identify conditions that provide the best image quality, while reducing the radiation dose absorbed by the patient. The main scope of this project is to establish a methodology for studying the optimal exposure parameters for different x-ray imaging examinations, through the implementation of a research laboratory of x-ray medical imaging and dosimetry. This project includes the optimization study of digital radiology, covering basically four different radiographic examinations: general digital radiology (chest radiography and orthopedic), digital mammography and pediatric radiology. In all cases, the dosimetric and image quality study will be performed by Monte Carlo simulation and experimentally. In clinical x-ray equipments, the method for optimization studies will be implemented and tested. This study will allow the identification of conditions that can improve the quality of the image obtained, and reducing risk to the patient's exposure to ionizing radiation. Besides, digital image receptors will be l characterized, in order to evaluate the most appropriate for each radiographic examination. Thus, this project is directly related to the research area of Radiation Physics and Dosimetry in Medical Physics. Besides, its development will contribute to the strengthening of Researches in medical physics developed at Applied Physics Department of the of Physics Gleb Wataghin of UNICAMP, especially the Medical Radiological Physics Group (GFRMd). (AU)