If filtration is not used in a radiographic unit, by what percentage can patient skin dose increase?

When filtration is not utilized in a radiographic unit, the increase in patient skin dose can be significant due to the unfiltered exposure of lower-energy x-ray photons. These lower-energy photons contribute little to imaging quality but are largely absorbed by the patient's skin and superficial tissues, increasing the overall radiation dose without providing diagnostic benefit.

In general, the absence of adequate filtration can lead to dose increases that are potentially as high as 90 percent, particularly in instances where equipment is not optimized for patient safety and image quality. Utilizing filtration helps in removing these lower-energy photons, thereby reducing the skin dose and enhancing the overall quality of the radiographic image. This statistic underlines the importance of proper equipment design and protocol optimization in radiographic practices to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure to patients.