[Photostimulation plates or conventional films for bedside chest x-ray in pediatric radiology? A comparative study of quality of image and the dose delivered to patients].

Image quality and patient doses received during chest bedside examinations performed with conventional (film-screen combination) and photostimulable phosphorus plate systems were compared in a study carried out in 1993 in a French pediatric radiology department. Seventy one children (36 males and 35 females) aged between 9 days and 18 years (average: 43 months) were included in the study. Technical performances of all radiological equipment used were permanently checked through a quality control program. One conventional and 3 "photostimulable" films were performed for each patient included (mAs product selected for "photostimulable" system was progressively reduced down to 60% of that of conventional technique). TLD Lithium Fluoride chips were used to measure entrance surface dose during the examination. Image quality of 284 films (213 "photostimulable" + 71 conventional) was assessed by three independent radiologists. Advantages and drawbacks of both studied imaging techniques are discussed in terms of patient dose reduction and image quality.