Quality control phantom for digital chest radiography

• Published in: Radiology Vol. 202; no. 1; p. 111
• Main Authors: Chotas, H G, Floyd, Jr, C E, Johnson, G A, Ravin, C E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.1997
• Subjects: Humans; Phantoms, Imaging; Quality Control; Radiographic Image Enhancement - standards; Radiography, Thoracic - standards
• ISSN: 0033-8419; 1527-1315
• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.202.1.8988199

To develop and test a chest phantom for routine quality control testing of digital radiography systems. The phantom was constructed from sheets of copper, aluminum, and acrylic, which were cut and arranged to yield a radiographic projection resembling that of a human thorax. Regional test objects allowed quantitative assessment of optical density, contrast detail, and spatial resolution. Validation tests were performed to assess image stability in a stable imaging environment and sensitivity to changes in image quality when they occur. The phantom yielded consistent pseudoclinical images when used in a routine quality control program and facilitated detection of simulated problems that were induced in imaging system performance. The chest phantom enables quantitative, full-system testing of digital radiography system as they are used clinically for chest radiography.