Quality control of bedside DR in neonatal chest radiography using a chest stabilization device and its clinical application

BACKGROUND: To develop a method for movement control during radiation exposure and to improve image quality of bedside thoracic DR in neonates. METHODS: Total 60 cases of neonates’ thoracic DR X-ray images, which were taken before and after neonates’ movement control, were compared and analyzed. X-ray exposure was set at 47 kV/1.4 mAs for all films that were taken without movement control, while various exposure conditions were used based on the neonate’s body weight when the neonate’s movement was controlled. RESULTS: The radiation dose of X-ray exposure was significantly lower after neonates’ movement control (7.32 ± 0.20 μGy) than that before the movement control (24.20 ± 0.82 μGy, P < 0.05), and it was decreased most dramatically in the neonates with lowest body weight (70%). After neonates’ movement control, image quality was significantly improved (44 cases out of 60, 73.3%) compared to that before movement control (only 5 out 60, 8.3%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the score of image background noise before and after movement control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Movement control with simple device could not only significantly improve the image quality, but also remarkably reduce radiation exposure dose.