Quality Control of Conventional X-ray

Quality Control of Conventional X-ray

 The main objective of quality control is to achieve a
high quality image either on film or Imaging Device at
possibly low radiation dose to patient and personnel.
 Test Types:
◦ Acceptance test
◦ Routine test
◦ After repair or tube replacement
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 Acceptance Test:  Frequency:
Performed upon newly
installed equipment to
• To be performed
once only when
verify specification and to new machine is
establish performance base installed
line.
 Routine Test: Performed
for vital parameter on  Frequency:
routine basis. • Every 2-3 months

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The three parts of quality control program for
Routine Test are

 Visual inspection
 Environmental inspection
 Performance test

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Visual inspection

The inspection should include:

• The control panel

• over head tube crane
• radiographic table
• protective lead apparel
• and other equipment.

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Environmental inspection

It should performed annually and involves

checking for mechanical and electrical safety:-

• Evaluation of the condition of the x–ray tube

high tension cables (or any other wires that are
visible in outside of the unit ).
• Any discoloration of the outside insulation , its
indicator of internal heat and a potential short
circuit.
• All radiographic equipment should be grounded
for further protection for patient.

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 (performance testing)
Parameters to be checked in Radiography :-
 Collimator Accuracy
 Constancy of Radiation output and linearity of
mR/mAs versus kV
 Assessment of Total Beam Filtration
 Assessment of Focal Spot size
 Accuracy and constancy of Exposure Timer
 Measuring of Scattered Radiation (using Water
Phantom)
 Leakage Radiation from X-ray tube
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Collimator Accuracy

Small hole

Beam Alignment Test Tool

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Collimator Accuracy

X-ray Tube

Test Tool

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Collimator Accuracy
 Improper central ray alignment will distort a
radiographic image.

 When used with the Collimator Test Tool, this

device provides a simple means of determining if
the X-ray beam is perpendicular to the image
receptor and centered with respect to the light field.

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Collimator Accuracy

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Constancy of Radiation output and linearity of
mR/mAs versus kV

Victorian Kv Meter
Displays kVp maximum, kVp average, kVp effective, dose and time

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Constancy of Radiation output and linearity of
mR/mAs versus kV

X-ray Tube

Measure kVp
& Output

Table top
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 Reproducibility of exposure
 an X-ray generator should always produce the same
intensity of radiation each time the same of technical
factors are used to make an exposure .
 for example , if a technique of 80 kvp, 500 mA and

0.02 second yields 100 mR of radiation when measured

by a dosimeter , then at any future time that the
technical factors are entered in to the same x-ray
generator , the yield when tested should be 100 mR ( *
the maximum variability allowed in reproducibility
is ± 5 ) evaluation of reproducibility variance requires
a dosimeter.
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Assessment of Total Beam Filtration
 Filtration: attenuation of photon according to their
Energy ( simply the ability to get rid of unnecessary
radiation)

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Assessment of Total Beam Filtration

X-ray Tube
Put Aluminum
Shield with
different
thickness 1,2,3,4
mm

Measure
Output only

Table top
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mA and Exposure Time Linearity
 the mA selector in an X-ray generator is used to regulate
the X-ray tube filament temperature, which, along with
the exposure time, ultimately determines the quantity of
X-rays in the X-ray beam.
 the mAs being selected must be same with different
combination of mA and exposure time for example:- an
exposure of 70 kvp, 50 mA at 1 second should produce
the same amount of radiation as an exposure of 70
kvp ,100 mA at 1/2 second , because both yield 50 mAs.
[any variation in reciprocity must be ±10%.

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mA and Exposure Time Linearity

 Linearitymeans that increases in mAs should

produce the same increase in the exposure
measured. example ,if factor of 70 kvp and 10
mAs were to produce 50 mR, then factors of 70
kvp and 20 mAs on the same generator should
produce an exposure of 100 mR if the mA
station and timer are accurate. [any variation
must be with in ±10%.

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