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Class Notes 09.22.08

The document discusses several key factors that influence radiographic density and contrast. It states that the kilovoltage peak (kVp) is the primary controlling factor of contrast, with lower kVp producing higher contrast and a shorter grayscale, while higher kVp produces lower contrast and a longer grayscale. Processing factors like developer time, temperature, and chemical concentration can increase density. The document also discusses how subject contrast is determined by factors like patient thickness, tissue density, atomic number, and object shape, and how kVp, mAs, distance, screens, grids, beam limiting, patient considerations, and contrast media can influence radiographic contrast.

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151 views

Class Notes 09.22.08

The document discusses several key factors that influence radiographic density and contrast. It states that the kilovoltage peak (kVp) is the primary controlling factor of contrast, with lower kVp producing higher contrast and a shorter grayscale, while higher kVp produces lower contrast and a longer grayscale. Processing factors like developer time, temperature, and chemical concentration can increase density. The document also discusses how subject contrast is determined by factors like patient thickness, tissue density, atomic number, and object shape, and how kVp, mAs, distance, screens, grids, beam limiting, patient considerations, and contrast media can influence radiographic contrast.

Uploaded by

Mike Nguyen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Class notes 09.22.

08

Heel effect on density


• The heel effect refers to a reduction in the x-ray beam intensity toward the
anode side of the x-ray.
• For a given field size, the heel effect is less prominent with a longer source-
to-image distance.

Processing – effect on density


Radiographic density will increase:
1. Increased developer time
2. Increased developer temperature
3. Increase in chemical concentration
4. Extraneous light fog
5. Increase in chemical fumes

Radiographic contrast
Contrast is the difference in Optical Density between adjacent anatomical structures
contrast is the result of difference in attenuation of the x-ray beam as it passes
through various tissues of the body. KVp is the primary controlling factor of
contrast.

kVp vs. mAs


• Both affect film density
• KVp affects film contrast
○ Low kVp
 High contrast
 Short scale
• Black and white
○ High kVp
 Low contrast
 Long scale

Primary factor – radiographic contrast


1. KVp is the primary factor in the control of radiographic contrast.
2. KVp provides the quality of radiation that is needed to penetrate the
anatomic part.
3. KVp is formulated based on anatomic part thickness.
a. 2 kVp X cm thickness + 30 kVp  high contrast
b. 2 kVp X cm thickness + 40 kVp  low contrast
4. Radiographic contrast will effect radiographic density.
a. ↑ kVp 15% = 2x the density
b. ↓ kVp 15% = ½ the density

Changes in kVp can be made to maintain radiographic density; however, changes in


kVp will affect radiographic contrast which may change the visibility of detail.
Therefore:
↑ 15% of original kVp, decrease the mAs by ½
↓ 15% of original kVp, increase the mAs by 2x
Class notes 09.22.08

Reason for any changes in kVp are principally based on reducing patient motion by
decreasing exposure time.
Subject Contrast
The differences in the anatomic part thickness & tissue density will determine the
amount of radiant energy that will be attenuated. The attenuation of the material
being irradiated will produce the radiographic contrast that will provide the visibility
of detail.

Factors: subject contrast


Patient thickness (part thickness)
Tissue mass density (tissue density)
Effective atomic number
Object shape
Kilovolt peak (kVp)

kVp
Underpenetrated – optimum – overpenetrated
High contrast/ short scale/ low kVp
Low contrast/ long scale/ high kVp

mAs
Over exposed/ under exposed

Influencing factors of radiographic contrast


1. Density
2. Distance
3. Intense screens
4. Grids
5. Beam limit device
6. Patient consideration
7. Processing
8. Contrast media

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