Obesity is an international problem affecting all ages and genders [1, 2]. In relation to imaging, patient size variation creates a challenge in practice and subsequent inconsistency in technique [3], positioning, communication and health care [4]. Therefore, it is vital that radiology departments consider the impact of obesity, particularly to overcome the challenges such as the need for repeat projections [2]. Modification to routine imaging practice is required to optimise medical diagnosis and visualisation of structures. If not, this will reduce image quality with a...

An adult anthropomorphic pelvis phantom (transparent sectional pelvis model number RS-113T) was imaged using direct digital radiography. Commercially available catering lard (fat) was used to simulate fat equivalent material as it has similar x-ray characteristics to human fat. This was established by CT Hounsfield Unit analysis. Figure.1 shows the experimental setup; the container sitting on the pelvis phantom has 1cm gradations, this was for fat thicknesses of 1-15cm, at 1cm intervals, to be poured in. The acquisition parameters were chosen according to the clinical practice...

All data are expressed as percentage change relative to the reference image which was acquired at 80 kVp with no added fat thickness. For all kVp values, SNR and CNR decreased as fat thickness increased (Figure 2 & Figure 3). 70kVp had the highest SNR and CNR for all fat thicknesses. Visual grading showed highest scores at 70kVp and 75kVp(Figure 5), but E was highest. As fat thickness increases, E increases exponentially (r2=0.99) (Figure 4). Visual grading scoresdecrease as fat thickness increase. Moreover, the results...

The best image quality was obtained at 70 and 75kVp for all fat thicknesses. This is at variance with professional practice where there is a tendency for radiographers to increase kVp as patient thickness increases. However, the 70kVp protocol incurs a higher dose compared with higher kVps. Further research is needed to verify that clinical imaging protocols, irrespective of patient thickness using DR, should be fixed at 70 or 75kVp or whether there exists an optimum point at which the dose reduction for a higher...

[1] N. T. Thanh Le, J. Robinson, and S. J. Lewis, “A Study of Student Radiographers’ Learning Experiences in Imaging Obese Patients,” J. Med. Imaging Radiat. Sci., vol. 46, no. 3, pp. S61–S68, 2015. [2] A. L. Woods, P. K. Miller, and C. Sloane, “Patient obesity and the practical experience of the plain radiography professional: On everyday ethics, Patient positioning and infelicitous equipment,” Radiography, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 118–123, 2016. [3] L. R. Carucci, “Imaging obese patients: Problems and solutions,” Abdom. Imaging, vol. 38,...