Musculoskeletal imaging with a prototype photon-counting detector

To test a digital imaging X-ray device based on the direct capture of X-ray photons with pixel detectors, which are coupled with photon-counting readout electronics. The chip consists of a matrix of 256 x 256 pixels with a pixel pitch of 55 mu m. A monolithic image of 11.2 cm x 7 cm was obtained by the consecutive displacement approach. Images of embalmed anatomical specimens of eight human hands were obtained at four different dose levels (skin dose 2.4, 6, 12, 25 mu Gy) with the new detector, as well as with a flat-panel detector. The overall rating scores for the evaluated anatomical regions ranged from 5.23 at the lowest dose level, 6.32 at approximately 6 mu Gy, 6.70 at 12 mu Gy, to 6.99 at the highest dose level with the photon-counting system. The corresponding rating scores for the flat-panel detector were 3.84, 5.39, 6.64, and 7.34. When images obtained at the same dose were compared, the new system outperformed the conventional DR system at the two lowest dose levels. At the higher dose levels, there were no significant differences between the two systems. The photon-counting detector has great potential to obtain musculoskeletal images of excellent quality at very low dose levels. Novel detectors offer further opportunities to limit radiation dose in radiology. A prototype photon-counting detector has recently been introduced for mammography. This detector has now been shown to have potential for musculoskeletal imaging. It can provide high quality musculoskeletal images at very low dose levels.