EOS Micro-dose Protocol: First Full-spine Radiation Dose Measurements in Anthropomorphic Phantoms and Comparisons with EOS Standard-dose and Conventional Digital Radiology

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Nov 15;43(22):E1313-E1321. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002696.

Abstract

Study design: A comparative study of radiation dose measured in anthropomorphic phantoms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to first report the first organ dose and effective dose measurements in anthropomorphic phantoms using the new EOS imaging micro-dose protocol in full-spine examinations, and to compare these measurements of radiation dose to measurements in the EOS standard-dose protocol and conventional digital radiology (CR).

Summary of background data: Few studies evaluating organ dose and effective dose for the EOS low-dose scanner exist, and mainly for the standard-dose protocol. To the best of our knowledge, no studies of effective dose based on anthropomorphic phantom measurements exist for the new micro-dose protocol.

Methods: Two anthropomorphic phantoms, representing a 5-year-old (pediatric) and a 15-year-old (adolescent). The phantoms were exposed to EOS micro-dose and standard-dose protocols during full-spine imaging. Additionally, CR in scoliosis settings was performed. For all modalities, organ doses were measured and effective doses were calculated using thermoluminescent dosimeters.

Results: We found a 17-fold reduction (94%) of effective dose in micro-dose protocol compared with our CR system in the adolescent phantom. Micro-dose versus standard-dose protocol, showed a 6-fold reduction (83%), and for standard-dose versus our CR system a 2.8-fold reduction (64%) reduction of effective dose was observed.For the pediatric phantom, a 5-fold reduction (81%) of effective dose in micro-dose protocol compared to our CR system was observed. Micro-dose versus standard-dose protocol, showed a seven-fold (86%) reduction. However, we observed an increase in absorbed dose of 38% when comparing the EOS standard-dose protocol with our CR system.

Conclusion: The EOS imaging micro-dose option exposes patients to lower radiation doses than any currently available modality for full-spine examination. Expected reduction of dose was established for the adolescent phantom when comparing CR and standard-dose protocol. However, no reduction of effective dose with EOS standard-dose protocol compared to our reference CR system was observed in the pediatric phantom.

Level of evidence: N/A.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Phantoms, Imaging* / standards
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / standards
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging*
  • Young Adult