Dear Digital X-Ray Insider,
In medical imaging, scatter radiation is usually thought of as a nuisance, an unavoidable byproduct of radiation-based imaging modalities that should be reduced whenever possible.
Swiss researchers have turned this conventional wisdom on its head by developing a digital radiography-based imaging technique that uses scatter radiation as the primary means of creating a diagnostic image. They believe the technique, called dark-field imaging, could yield improved image quality for a number of clinical applications, and their work is the subject of this edition's Insider Exclusive.
The group developed a grid system, called an x-ray grating interferometer, that they placed between the x-ray tube and detector of a digital radiography system. This enabled them to measure minute changes in scatter radiation patterns, enough to produce images.
Will the technology ever make its way into a clinical system, or is it just an interesting research curiosity? And what do dark-field images look like? Find out for yourself by clicking here.
In other news in the community, a recent market research study shows that DR is driving growth in the European x-ray market. Get more details by clicking here.
Meanwhile, Korean researchers describe a process they developed for reducing artifacts in DR and computed radiography studies. They analyzed DR and CR artifacts and classified them into categories, which helped them take measures to reduce their hospital's error rate. Learn how they did it by clicking here.
Other recent stories in the community include an article on an alternative approach to knee arthrography, changes to the Medicare exception for chiropractors ordering x-rays, and the upcoming resumption of product shipments from a major surgical C-arm manufacturer.
If you have any tips or ideas on topics you'd like to see covered in the Digital X-Ray Community, drop me a line at [email protected].
