Issue 12 - September 2004

Look, doc!
X-rays without chemicals
By Frederick R. Fischer

Radiography requires a darkroom, a film processor, chemicals (which have to be stored, replenished and disposed of) and x-ray film. Or does it?

Today, thanks to computed radiography (CR), those items are things of the past. And chiropractors using CR have x-rays available at the press of a button. They can send x-ray images electronically for a consultation, enhance and manipulate images for easier interpretation and give patients their x-rays on a convenient CD instead of film.

In short, CR simplifies the entire chiropractic imaging process, from acquisition and diagnosis through storage and maintenance.

CR’s BENEFITS
• Reusable plates. In a computed radiography system, images are exposed on a reusable imaging plate by using existing x-ray equipment using a laser, the CR scanner reads the image and a computer converts it from analog to digital data, which is then processed and viewed on a video display terminal.

The phosphor plates used in some systems may be reused thousands of times.

• Reduced exposure. An added benefit: Practitioners using blue sen-sitive film are able to reduce x-ray exposure by more than 50 percent.

• More foolproof. CR is a more foolproof process than traditional radiography. Film has a relatively narrow dynamic range or latitude, but a CR image plate has a wide range, thus yielding acceptable images over a fairly broad range of exposures.

• Right-sized for practice use. Until now, the high cost of hospital-sized computed radiography systems has made it difficult for the private office to enjoy digital imaging’s many advantages. Now several suitably-sized digital imaging systems are on the market. These are priced for the private practice.

• Used in normal light. The new system can be loaded and operated in normal room lighting and produce diagnostic-quality images.

• Fast. Some of these digital units can take images from 8x10 inches up to 14x17 inches in less than 60 seconds.

• Positive patient response. Patients respond enthusiastically to digital images. They can see the doctor change the image to show problem areas and colorize areas to point out conditions.

For all of these reasons, cost-effective computed radiography for today’s chiropractic office is not only feasible but is becoming a trend that will pick up increased momentum over the next few years. u

Frederick R. Fischer is vice president and of AllPro Imaging, Inc. (www.allproimaging.com), a U.S. manufacturer of x-ray equipment for the medical profession. He can be contacted at 631-434-6658, ext. 103 or by e-mail at john@amhe.com.