Use of the concept of energy imparted in diagnostic radiology

The concept of energy imparted by ionizing radiation to the matter in a volume is analyzed and methods to determine the energy imparted epsilon to the patient are reviewed, in particular, determinations based on measurements of the air kerma integrated over beam area [the kerma-area-product (KAP)] and calculations needed to derive conversion factors epsilon/KAP. The energy imparted to the image receptor, epsilon(rec), including the statistical aspects of the concept, and the effect of epsilon(rec,) On image quality and patient dose are also analysed. Finally, use of the energy imparted to the patient as a risk indicator is discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.