Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) is an actual number represented in a percentage. Which percentage below would be considered the highest DQE?

Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) is a measure of the efficiency of a digital imaging system in converting x-ray input into a usable output image. It reflects how effectively an imaging system can retain and represent the information from the x-rays that hit it. A higher DQE indicates that the system is better at detecting and utilizing the x-ray photons, which leads to improved image quality with lower exposure to the patient.

In this question, the percentage value directly indicates the DQE, where a higher percentage represents greater efficiency. The choice of 80% means the system is able to convert 80% of incoming x-ray energy into a detectable image, while lower percentages correspond to less effective systems. Therefore, the choice of 90% not only signifies the highest DQE among the options presented but also implies a more optimal performance of the digital radiography system regarding image quality and patient safety through reduced radiation exposure.

In this context, the remaining options—60%, 70%, and 80%—represent lower efficiencies compared to 90%, reaffirming that the highest DQE among the choices provided is indeed represented by 90%. This understanding is vital for practitioners in selecting and evaluating imaging systems based on their performance characteristics.