Routine Radiography QC

Question 1

Level A Tube and generator QA

Answer 1

1-2 monthly
X ray light field alignment
Light field Bucky centering
Light beam diaphragm calibration
Distance / scaling checks
Radiation output:
- repeatability (consistency)
- reproducibility (variation with kV/mA/t, focal spot)

Question 2

Level B X-ray tube + Generator QA

Answer 2

Radiation output
- repeatability and reproducibility
Exposure time
Tube potential (kV)
Cut height
Angle of swing

Question 3

Level A CR QA

Answer 3

1-2 monthly
Detector dose indication monitoring
Image uniformity
Review condition of the plates
Low contrast sensitivity (TOR/CDRAD)
Limiting spatial resolution check (bar pattern)

Question 4

Level B CR QA

Answer 4

Annual
DDI repeatability
Measured uniformity
Threshold contrast
Erasure cycle efficiency
Scaling error - lead ruler check
Dark noise (mean pixel value in ROI)

Question 5

Level A QC DR Digital

Answer 5

1-3 monthly DDI monitoring
Image uniformity
4-6 monthly
Low contrast sensitivity
Limiting spatial resolution

AEC
Sensitivity
Operation of the guard timer

Question 6

Level B QA DR digital

Answer 6

Annual
DDI repeatability and reproducibility
Measured uniformity
Threshold contrast details
Limiting spatial resolution
Uniformity of response
Scaling error
Dark noise

AEC

Repeatability
Reproducibility
Image receptor dose
Consistency between chambers

Question 7

Level A fluoroscopy QA

Answer 7

1-3 monthly
Dose rate under AEC
Display monitor setup - greyscale stepwedge check
Limiting spatial resolution - huttner / TOR18FG
Threshold contrast TOR 18FG
Radiation and image field size comparison / virtual collimation - alignment of x-ray field with visible field on the monitor

Question 8

Level B fluoro

Answer 8

Annual
ESD dose rate AEC phantom (20cm water equivalent)
Dose rate at input face of detector (comp against MHRA report)
video voltage
Limiting spatial resolution
Threshold contrast GS2 20cm water phantom
Image res uniformity - visual - mesh object

Question 9

Level A mammography QA

Answer 9

AEC consistency - post exposure mAs
Accuracy of stereotactic
Monthly
AEC check with 7cm PMMA
High contrast resolution / threshold contrast - TORMAM with 4cm PMMA phantom

Question 10

Level B mammography QA

Answer 10

Mean glandular dose check for the standard breast (4.5cm PMMA)
X-ray / light alignment
X-ray film/detector alignment
Compression check - Newton meter / scales
Tube potential - KV meter
Radiation output reproducibility
X-ray field non uniformity - flat field assessment
AEC compensation - 7 cm PMMA
High contrast resolution / threshold contrast - TORMAM

Question 11

CT Level A QA

Answer 11

Daily
Warm up check
Im noise - std central 40% ROI
CT number check - for water (0) and high contrast material
Scan plane localisation - check alignment of lights with markers
Scan plane localisation from SPR - compare internal and external lights
Table top travel - move table a known distance and measure travel - compare against the display

Question 12

CT Level B QA

Answer 12

Annual
IM noise - head and body phantom
CT Number values - catphan
CT number uniformity
High contrast spatial resolution - MTF bar phantom
CTDI - CTDI100 in air on-axis head and body
CTDIvol single slice/rotation - 16cm head 32cm body phantom
Irradiated slice thickness - gafchromic film
Im slice thickness z sens profile
Tube to detector alignment - cor

Question 13

Documentation for DR QA

Answer 13

IPEM 91
IPEM 32 series.
IPEM 81 - critical exam guidelines