Increaing KV for High Dose X-Rays Reduces the Patient Dose Without Affecting Image Quality

Abdomen, Pelvis and Lumbar Spine X-rays account for a large number of the inpatient and outpatient examinations under taken in the Mater Hospital. Although not as documented as the CT Patient dose increases, DR exposure doses have seen an increase in recent years described as a “dose creep” (Herrmann et al. 2012). This could be down to a number of factors such as radiographer’s reliance on post processing capabilities of CR and DR radiography, easily repeated DR images etc. Perhaps the most prevalent cause of this ‘dose creep’ trend may be a failure, on Radiology departments internationally to respond appropriately to advances in DR radiography and adjust exposure factors.