Automatic Exposure Control in Radiography

Automated Exposure Control or Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) in x-ray radiography enables automated control of the time that the x-rays are on in x-ray radiography. In clinical practice the placement of the ion chambers with respect to the anatomy is critically important.
The mAs (i.e. the exposure and the dose received at the image receptor). By reducing the scan time the mAs is decreased and hence the exposure is reduced. The AEC circuit uses ion chambers mounted right before the image receptor in order to generate an electrical signal that is proportional to the x-ray exposure reaching the image receptor (i.e. the detector). The signal is then amplified and compared with a reference signal that is based on a reference kVp and a user interface setting that enables modulation of the dose.
We reference why gonad shielding should be discontinued see this link for more details:
howradiologyworks.com/shielding/
For the AAPM position statement on gonad shielding see:
www.aapm.org/org/policies/det...
For more information on the physics of x-ray and CT radiology see:
howradiologyworks.com .

[@UraniumGirl]

Amazing video!

[@TaylorSudderth-we8vu]

Great video, thanks!

[@HowRadiologyWorks]

You’re most welcome Taylor. 😊 thanks for the comment

[@user-lp1dz5vb4j]

Great video ❤❤❤❤

[@HowRadiologyWorks]

You are so kind, thank you for the comments

[@LolyCabrera19]

Thank you

[@HowRadiologyWorks]

You’re most welcome, share with your friends

[@benchmademanliness]

You mentioned new guidance about not using gonad shielding anymore. Is there a link to that? I presume that’s only when then gonad shielding is in the field of view?

[@HowRadiologyWorks]

Thanks for watching carefully and asking for more details. I added these links in the description now as well. But in general the consensus scientific opinion is to discontinue gonad shielding in all scenarios and the educational training for organizations like the AART needs to catch up now to these recommendations. We know that change is hard but actually not shielding is best for overall patient care. You are right the major AEC impacts are when the shield is in the field of view and now with modern systems there is no longer significant stray radiation so there is not a need to use shielding when outside of the field of view as well.
Our description based on the literature: howradiologyworks.com/shielding/
The AAPM position statement on gonad shielding: www.aapm.org/org/policies/details.asp?id=468

[@benchmademanliness]

@@HowRadiologyWorks Thanks for the info.

[@mrsmith4mrsmith4]

It appears that AEC vs manual is a selectable option as well as the subcomponents of the image that drive AEC. Do you think this is available on all/most clinical systems? To optimize the image I would imagine you need some control over the AEC. Do you have experience with fluoroscopy/fluorography? We have some units that do not allow a manual technique and one that does allow it but makes it extremely difficult to get to. Thanks! #OnWisconsin

[@HowRadiologyWorks]

Sorry in here we were just covering Radiography. We will try to make one specific to Fluoro.