Abstract
•X-ray scatter correction software improves the image quality of the images acquired without a physical grid.•The radiation dose can be reduced when the X-ray based scatter correction software is used compared to the physical grid.•X-ray scatter correction software can be beneficial in certain circumstances or clinical scenarios such as bedside patients, trauma cases, and Intensive care unit (ICU).•Grid-based radiography is still preferable to software-based scatter-corrected grid-less radiography in ideal clinical conditions such as when a patient has the ability to be imaged with a physical grid using standard X-ray examinations.•There are no clear evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of scatter correction software for diagnostic X-ray imaging in clinical practice.
An anti-scatter grid is often used in X-ray radiography to reduce the scattered X-rays generated from the patient. However, the presence of a grid means the patient dose subsequently increases. Recently,severalmanufacturers have developedsoftwarethat is capable of correctingfor scattered X-rays withouttheuse ofa conventional grid. This scoping review aims to systematically map the research assessing scattering correction software and to identify any existing knowledge gaps.
This scoping review involved conducting a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of science to reveal studies that were relevant to the research question. Articles published between 01.01.2000 and 31.12.2021 examining X-ray scatter correction software for X-ray imaging were included. A part of the PRISMA model and PICO framework were utilised to establish eligibility criteria. A structured summary table was utilised to extract data from the selected articles.
In this scoping review, 20 years of literature in X-ray conventional radiography. 11 articles were included in the data synthesis. The study populations of the included studies were varied: patients, image quality phantoms and anatomical phantoms. The clinical applications of X-ray scatter correction software were found to be limited to specific body parts (cervical spine, chest, shoulder, lumbar spine, hip and pelvis). The scatter correction software appears to be effective in terms of image quality and in reducing the radiation dose. However, the conventional grid still provides a higher image quality.
X-ray scatter correction software can be effective and provides potentialbenefits for some circumstances or clinical scenarios.