image quality and entrance surface dose evaluation of lateral cervical spine: a study using grid and non-grid techniques

Introduction: the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of grid and non-grid techniques in the lateral cervical spine radiography on image quality and entrance surface dose (esd). although image quality and radiation doses have been studied by researchers, there is still a dearth of information on image quality and patient dose with different techniques. material and methods: the radiographs of the lateral cervical spine were acquired by positioning the rando phantom abutting the erect bucky while using the grid and non-grid techniques. this study benefited from using a 24 cm x 30 cm fuji standard cassette type imaging plate. a leeds tor test tool was utilized for relative comparison of image quality. the esd of each examination was determined by using the optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter. results: the increased kilovoltage (kvp) resulted in the reduction of esd whether moving grid, stationary grid, or non-grid techniques were utilized. significant differences in terms of contrast sensitivity and spatial resolution were indicated when comparing the grid technique to that of the non-grid technique (i.e., χ2=8 and 5, respectively, p< 0.05). the results also indicated significant differences in esd when using the moving grid, stationary grid, and non-grid techniques (i.e., χ2=7.2, p< 0.05). conclusion: significant differences in image quality and esd were indicated when grid and non-grid techniques were used in the lateral cervical spine radiography. a non-grid with the highest appropriate kvp is recommended as the air gap acts as a grid, resulting in acceptable image quality with reduction in esd.