Image Quality and Entrance Surface Dose Evaluation of Lateral Cervical Spine: A Study Using Grid and Non-Grid Techniques

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of grid and non-grid techniques in the lateral cervical spine radiography on image quality and entrance surface dose (ESD). Although image quality and radiation doses have been studied by researchers, there is still a dearth of information on image quality and patient dose with different techniques. The radiographs of the lateral cervical spine were acquired by positioning the RANDO phantom abutting the erect bucky while using the grid and non-grid techniques. This study benefited from using a 24 cm x 30 cm Fuji standard cassette type imaging plate. A Leeds TOR test tool was utilized for relative comparison of image quality. The ESD of each examination was determined by using the optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter. The increased kilovoltage (kVp) resulted in the reduction of ESD whether moving grid, stationary grid, or non-grid techniques were utilized. Significant differences in terms of contrast sensitivity and spatial resolution were indicated when comparing the grid technique to that of the non-grid technique (i.e., χ2=8 and 5, 16 respectively, p<0.05"> ). The results also indicated significant differences in ESD when using the moving grid, stationary grid, and non-grid techniques (i.e., χ2=7.2, 16p<0.05"> ). Significant differences in image quality and ESD were indicated when grid and non-grid techniques were used in the lateral cervical spine radiography. A non-grid with the highest appropriate kVp is recommended as the air gap acts as a grid, resulting in acceptable image quality with reduction in ESD.