What is the purpose of using aluminum filters in X-ray procedures?

The primary purpose of using aluminum filters in X-ray procedures is to decrease patient radiation dosage. Aluminum filters are installed in the path of the X-ray beam to selectively absorb low-energy X-rays that do not contribute to diagnostic image quality but do increase the radiation dose to the patient. These low-energy photons are more likely to be scattered or absorbed by the tissues rather than contributing useful information, leading to unnecessary radiation exposure without improving image quality.

By removing these low-energy X-rays, the filter helps to ensure that only the higher-energy X-rays that will penetrate the tissue and contribute to the formation of a diagnostic image reach the patient. This results in a more effective examination while minimizing the overall radiation dose received by the patient, which is a fundamental principle in radiological practices aimed at ensuring patient safety.