Reduced radiation dose and improved image quality using a mini mobile digital imaging system in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the radiation dose and image quality of a mini-mobile digital imaging (mini-DI) system for neonatal chest radiography and compared to conventional digital radiography (DR). A total of 64 neonates were examined and anatomical landmarks were assessed. The entrance surface dose of mini DI and conventional DR was 26.64±0.15 μGy and 49.11±1.46 μGy, respectively (p<0.001). The mean SNR values for mini-DI and DR were 233.2±5.1 and 31.6±1.2, and 10% MTF values were 131 and 161μm. A newly developed mini-DI is capable of preserving the diagnostic information with dose reduction in neonates under intensive care.

Keywords: Chest X-ray imaging; Conventional mobile digital radiography (DR); Mini-mobile digital imaging system (mini-DI); Premature neonate.