The efficacy of K-edge filters in diagnostic radiology.

The application of K-edge filters in diagnostic radiology has been investigated by many workers for over twenty years. These investigations have analysed the effects of such filters on image quality and radiation dose as well as the practicalities of their application. This paper presents a synopsis of the published works and concludes that K-edge filters do not perceptibly improve image quality and make only limited reductions in patient dose. K-edge filters are also costly to purchase and potentially result in a reduction in the cost effectiveness of x-ray examinations by increasing the x-ray tube loading. Equivalent contrast enhancement and dose reductions can be achieved by the assiduous choice of non-selective filters.