From the March 2018 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Most digital X-ray equipment is not made specifically with the pediatric patient in mind. However, vendors are making modifications to their systems to fully and comfortably accommodate pediatric exams. Several vendors offer radiography systems with low table heights, making it easier to image pediatric patients. Specially outfitted digital mobile X-ray systems have a smaller footprint with a lower dose, and most vendors offer design features such as colorful side panels and decals to help ease the fears of pediatric patients.
We are also seeing vendors offering smaller panel sizes, such as 8”x10” and 10”x12”, designed specifically for pediatric and neonatal exams. But most purchases seen are for 14”x17” panels, which can also fit into an incubator Bucky tray when imaging infants. Some facilities are making room in their budgets for the smaller panels because they can be used in the NICU as well as for orthopedic exams.
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Software advancements such as gridless imaging with scatter correction can be beneficial with older children and larger pediatric patients, but it should not be used with younger children as it can increase dose. Immobilization is another consideration when imaging a pediatric patient. Having a child lie perfectly still for just a few seconds can sometimes be a challenge, and immobilization might be necessary to achieve a clear image. Multiple vendors offer positioning devices such as pediatric posers, chairs, restraining boards and cushion immobilizers. Use of a proper immobilization device can reduce exposure time and the need for retakes.
Price Range
Single Detector: $129,000 – $260,000
Portable Radiography: $110,000 – $202,000
Flat-Panel Digital Detector: $39,000 – $87,000
Competitors
Agfa, Canon, Carestream, Del Medical, Fujifilm, GE Healthcare, Philips, Samsung, Shimadzu and Siemens
Interventional X-ray (IXR)
Pediatrics is a niche application for IXR. Several factors make interventional cardiovascular X-ray procedures particularly challenging for pediatric patients, including:
• Patient size
• Unusual anatomy
• Volume (total blood volume)
• Radiation limitations
The need to limit radiation as well as the amount of contrast solution used drives the technology decision to a biplane imaging system. With biplane, images can be obtained in two orthogonal planes simultaneously with a single contrast injection. This approach lowers radiation exposure and limits the volume of contrast being given.
Biplane imaging offers the important ability to view anatomy in two planes simultaneously. A pediatric patient can often exhibit abnormal anatomy, making accurate visualization critical. Biplane can allow physicians to understand both the problem and the options for appropriate corrective actions.
