analogical and digital technologies. The risk of overexposure with no adverse effect
on image quality could be present. Digital imaging systems could facilitate over- or
underexposure that influences a patient’s dose. Overexposure could provide goodquality
images, but may cause unnecessary patient dose. Although several
advantages over SF systems are identified, considerable variations in image quality
and effective dose can be achieved among different digital detectors [3].
According to Busch [4] the choice of the radiographic technique, the radiation
dose delivered to the patient, and the diagnostic quality of radiographic image are
three core aspects of the imaging process aiming the management of patient dose
and image quality. This is a challenge for radiographers because clinical advantages
and limitations of digital technologies for projection radiography are also dependent
on the radiographer’s options for a particular patient examination.
The knowledge about digital detector technology for use in plain radiograph
examinations is thus a fundamental issue to be acquired by radiology professionals
and students. Several literature reviews concerning digital radiology detectors have
been provided by some authors [5–11]. In this chapter an overview of computed
radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) currently available for clinical
practice is provided.