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Notebook 2 - Revised

Grid errors occur when the x-ray tube or grid is improperly positioned during an x-ray exam. The four main types of grid errors are off-level, off-center, off-focus, and upside-down positioning of the tube or grid. Each error results in a different effect on the x-ray image such as absorption of primary radiation, decreased exposure, or peripheral cut-off. Grid selection involves choosing an appropriate grid ratio and frequency based on factors like amount of scatter reduction needed and minimizing visibility of grid lines. Higher grid ratios provide better contrast improvement and selectivity by allowing less scatter to pass through the grid interspaces.

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224 views

Notebook 2 - Revised

Grid errors occur when the x-ray tube or grid is improperly positioned during an x-ray exam. The four main types of grid errors are off-level, off-center, off-focus, and upside-down positioning of the tube or grid. Each error results in a different effect on the x-ray image such as absorption of primary radiation, decreased exposure, or peripheral cut-off. Grid selection involves choosing an appropriate grid ratio and frequency based on factors like amount of scatter reduction needed and minimizing visibility of grid lines. Higher grid ratios provide better contrast improvement and selectivity by allowing less scatter to pass through the grid interspaces.

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Notebook 2

Grid Errors Occurrence Grid in which it Effect seen Grid ratio


occurs
Off-Level Tube angled across Parallel, focused, Absorption of
the long axis of grid linear (one primary radiation
strips due to direction), criss- resulting in
improper tube or cross (both decrease in
grid positioning directions) exposure of image
Off-Center When x-ray tube Focused Grid cut-off,
not be centered decreased
along central axis of exposure
focus grid
Off-Focus When the focal Peripheral cut-off Prefer higher grid
range on grid is not ratios for greater
used for procedure positioning
accuracy
Upside-Down -Identified tube side Focused Peripheral cut-off
is not properly
placed right side up
-radiation pass
through grid along
central axis and
radiation absorbed
away from center

Left to right: off-level, off-center, off-focus, upside-down

Grid ratio- ratio of height of lead strips to distance between the


strips

6
-h/d; h=height, d=interspace width

-higher grid ratio=more lead=improved contrast (clean-up)

-the higher the grid ratio the straighter the scatter photon has to be in order to pass through interspace
material=less scatter

-grids may also be rated by their weight expressed, (g/cm2)

Grid frequency- number of grid lines/inch or centimeter

-60-200 lines/inch

-more commonly 85-103 lines/inch

-higher frequency = thinner lead strips

-high frequencies used for digital IR for minimal vision of grid lines (178-200 lines/inch)

-combining information about grid ratio and frequency you can determine total quantity of lead in grid

-lead content measured in mass/unit area

Grid Conversion/Selection

-Choosing a grid a complex process. The following are formulas to help decipher the amount of exposure
needed for a given grid.

-GCF or grid conversion factor= mAs with grid/mAs without grid

Example:

A satisfactory chest radiograph is produced using 5mAs at 85 kVp without a grid. A second
image is requested using a 12:1 grid. What mAs is needed to produce a second satisfactory image?
(given 5.5)

-15.5=X/5 mAs

-X=5.5 X 5mAs

-X=27.5mAs

-Converting from one grid ratio to another= mAs1/mAs2=GCF1/GCF2

Example:

7
A satisfactory abdominal image is produced using an 8:1 grid, 35 mAs, and 85 kVp. A second
image is requested using a 12:1 grid. Calculate what mAs is needed to produce a second satisfactory
image. (given 5.5)

-35/X=4/5.5

-4X=192.5

-X=48mAs

Selectivity

-when grid absorb greater percentage of scatter than primary radiation have a greater degree of
selectivity.

-Formula for selectivity= % primary radiation transmitted/%scatter radiation transmitted

-the better at removing the scatter, the higher the selectivity

Contrast Improvement Ability

-K factor is the measure of how well the ability to improve contrast

-dependent on amount of scatter produced, controlled by kVp.

-Formula for K factor= radiographic contrast with grid/radiographic contrast without grid

Air Gap Technique

-alternative to grid use

-patient at greater OID between patient and image receptor (air gap). This will decrease the amount of
scatter reaching image receptor

-a 10in. air gap on a 10 cm body part has same clean up as a 15:1 grid ratio

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