The wide dynamic range of the digital detectors and the capabilities of post-processing allow obtaining more information from the radiographic images and avoiding retakes. Using phosphor plates in the image formation process, it has been possible to lower the dose to the patient. In digital radiography, several authors report the possibility to substantially lower the radiation dose to the patient while maintaining or even increasing the image quality. In conventional radiography, increased patient dose results in a dark image. In digital radiography the brightness of the image does not depend on patient dose. High patient doses can result in low-noise, high-contrast digital images, therefore, optimization of examinations is of vital importance in digital radiography. Special emphasis should be directed to paediatrics. The digital technique is very useful in reducing the dose both in fluoroscopy and radiography, however, special procedures for children are needed. © Springer-Verlag 2004.