QUALITY-CONTROL PHANTOM FOR DIGITAL CHEST RADIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To develop and test a chest phantom for routine quality contr ol testing of digital radiography systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phantom was constructed from sheets of copper, aluminum, and acrylic, which were cut and arranged to yield a radiographic projection resembl ing that of a human thorax. Regional test objects allowed quantitative assessment of optical density, contrast detail, and spatial resolutio n. Validation tests were performed to assess image stability in a stab le imaging environment and sensitivity to changes in image quality whe n they occur. RESULTS: The phantom yielded consistent pseudoclinical i mages when used in a routine quality control program and facilitated d etection of simulated problems that were induced in imaging system per formance. CONCLUSION: The chest phantom enables quantitative, full-sys tem testing of digital radiography systems as they are used clinically for chest radiography.