Impact of Electronic Collimation on Reducing Unnecessary Patient Dose in Digital Radiography

Background: In radiology, optimizing radiation protection is crucial, and field collimation plays a critical role in minimizing patient dose. As technology has evolved, electronic collimation has become the preferred method due to its effectiveness in digital imaging systems, replacing traditional film-screen systems.Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cropping in digital radiography and its potential impact on patient radiation dose because of improper collimation practices.Material and Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on digital X-ray machine images. Quality control tests were performed to ensure equipment accuracy, and image cropping was then measured by analyzing archived images. Finally, the cropped image fraction and associated unnecessary radiation doses were calculated.Results: Quality control tests confirmed that all imaging equipment was functioned within acceptable alignment and angle tolerances. The analysis of 911 images revealed a high prevalence of cropping (82%), with significant variation across different projections. Lateral knee images exhibited the highest cropping rate (96.2%), while abdominal images had the lowest (36.1%). Conclusion: Electronic image cropping can lead radiologic technologists to inaccurately define the primary radiation field, affecting image quality and potentially increasing patient radiation exposure. Based on the obtained results, proper collimation can reduce the average Dose Area Product (DAP) by 29.01%. This approach not only enhances patient safety but also minimizes unnecessary radiation exposure and potentially reduces healthcare costs.