Contrast

The two types of

Radiographic Images Quality
Photographic Properties Geometric Properties

Visibility Sharpness

Density Contrast Detail Distortion

Contrast
》 is one of the two properties that
window with /Contrast
Dynamic Range
the digital processing that produces changes in
comprise visibility of detail.
the range of brightness, so it also is appropriate

Image Contrast
》 It can be mathematically evaluated as
to use when controlling image contrast.
grayscale bit depth also known as z-axis is also
applied to this term.
the percentage or ratio of the differences Window With Scale
between densities/ IR exposure. -1000 Air

Dynamic Range
-500 Lung
-50 Fat
0 Water
》describes the concept of contrast as it is +50 soft tissue and blood
displayed on a soft-copy monitor for +1000 bone
digital images.

Contrast Dynamic Range

》 is the term used radiographic images.
Physical Visible Physical

Principle of Imaging/G.CAS/October 2024

 Contrast
Relationship between Terms Used to
Describe Contrast
Physical Contrast
》is the total range of density/IR exposure
values recorded by the image receptor.

High Contrast
Few shade of gray
Increased contrast
Visible Contrast
Low kVp 》is the total range of density/ IR exposure
values that can be perceived by the human eye
Short scale of contrast
in a single image.
Short (narrow dynamic

Film Contrast
range/window with)

Low Contrast
Many shade of gray is the range of densities that
Decreased contrast the film is capable of recording.
Mathematically, this is
High kVp
expressed as the slope of
Long scale of contrast the D log E curve.
Long (wide dynamic
range/window with)
Factors that Film Contrast depending on;
》The term good contrast is often applied to high intensifying screens
contrast however not all high contrast are
film density
provides information sometimes the radiology
find low contrast to provide more diagnostic the D log E curve
information. processing.
》Although high-contrast images may be perceived as
more pleasing to the untrained eye, radiographers and This concept is demonstrated nicely by
radiologists realize that although the lower contrast comparing chest radiographs to radiographs
image is not as dramatic in its presentation, it often of the ribs. In chest radiography high kVps
demonstrates more information. result in a wide range of image densities that
fall within the visible rang.
》 Without contrast there would be no image Both the air-filled lungs and the bony
because all densities would appear identical. structures are demonstrated within the

Scale of Contrast
visible range. No structures appear under- or
overexposed. In rib radiography low kVps
are used to enhance the differences
is the number of useful between the air-filled lungs and the
visible densities or shades overlying bony structures.
of gray. X-ray film used with intensifying screens is

Short scale contrast very susceptible to fogging from extraneous

light.
For film, scatter raises the base plus fog (the
maximal differences between densities and
has a minimal total number of densities. toe) and decreases the slope of the curve.

Long scale contrast

Kilovoltage or Kilovoltage peak (kVp) is the
primarycontroller of subject contrast. As
kVp increases, a wider range of photon
minimal differences between densities but has a energies is produced. (kvp is equal to
maximal total number of densities energy)

Principle of Imaging/G.CAS/October 2024

 Contrast
Factors that
affecting Fog
Film to heat
Low level ionizing radiation
chemical fumes
Developer temperature
replenishment
contamination

Amount of Irradiated Material 3 Shades in X-ray Film

》The amount of irradiated material depends
on the thickness of the body part and the
field size.
1. BLACK
If the body part increases then absorption increases. 2. GRAY
If the body part decreases then absorption decreases
》these absorptions influence subject contrast.
If the body part increases then subject contrast
3. WHITE
increases.
the body part decreases then subject contrast decreases.
overall, body part increases = field size increases =
scattered increases = subject contrast decreases. (and
vice versa)
Destructive
1. Osteoporosis
Type of Irradiated Material 2. Orittle Bone Disease

Addictive
》the atomic number of the material and its
tissue density. Both of these factors influence
subject contrast.

Contrast Mask 1. Paget's Disease

2. Marble Bone Disease
is a simple tool to help focus on the 3. Pleural Effusion
contrast in a selected area.

Single Phase
The eye tends to consider nearby densities
and contrast when evaluating image quality.
It is so difficult for the eye to ignore nearby
factors that a contrast mask is often 》 Increase Contrast
helpful.
30 percent exposure can be used by
unprofessionals however 15 percent to
professionals to see the difference to seeing
Multiphase
shades of gray. 》 Decrease Contrast

Principle of Imaging/G.CAS/October 2024

 Contrast
Directly Proportional Inversely Proportional to Contrast
》 They increase or decrease together. 1. Filtration
2. Fog
Inversely Proportional 3. Scattered Radiation
4. Anatomic Part
》 When the other one increases, the
5. Tissue Density
other one decrease and vice versa.
6. kVp or kV
7. Photon Energy
Underexposed
= Decreases Contrast 8. Number of Photon
Overexposed
9. Compton Scattered
10. Development time, temperature,
replishment rate

No effect to Contrast
1. Source Image to Distance or SID
2. Milliamperage per second or mAs
3. Relative Speed
4. Focal Spot Size
5. Anode Heel Effect

Directly Proportional to Contrast

1. Grind Ratio
2. Beam Restriction Collimator
3. Photoelectric Effect
4. Object Image to Distance or OID
5. Atomic Number
6. Decrease the Slope

Principle of Imaging/G.CAS/October 2024