Carroll QB. Digital Radiography in Practice. 2nd ed.

Written ostensibly for radiographers/ radiology technologists, this 200-page soft cover book, written by Quinn Carroll, RT and now in its second edition, contains basic and important information not only for technologists but also for radiologists——- residents and practicing radiologists.  For residents there is material which can be subject matter for the board examinations and for radiologists in practice, there are areas covered which either have been forgotten or were never completely understood.

This is a book which should be available in every Department for easy reference.   At the end of every chapter there is a set of quiz questions based on the material which precedes it.  As an exercise, try to answer the questions before reading the chapter.   You will be surprised to find out how much digital radiography you may not know.

There are 15 chapters which not only are well written but importantly there are abundant drawings and examples of images which help emphasize the discussion. Supplementing all of this is a 13-page glossary which is helpful as one goes through the chapters.  Covered are the many aspects of digital information such as dynamic range, contrast, MTF (who remembers that?), effect of mA and kVP on image quality, patient exposure, post processing details, digital image acquisition, LCD display, PACs systems, image compression, among many other critical topics.

This is a valuable book and housestaff in training would be well advised to read much of this information.  For radiologists, this is doubly important so that a practicing radiologist is as acquainted with these digital parameters as their technologists are and as needed the proper radiographic techniques can be emphasized to the radiology technologists with whom they work.