Ch. 5 - Radiographic Quality

Radiographic Quality
Chapter 5
Radiographic quality
Refers to how easily details can be
perceived on a radiograph.
Need to obtain as much diagnostic

information as possible about the internal
structures of the patient.
Quality depends on
Radiographic Density
Contrast
Geometric Factors that affect detail
Radiographic Density
Defined as the degree of blackness or
darkness on a radiograph.
Black areas on a developed radiograph
are produced by deposits of metallic

silver in the film emulsion that result from
exposure to x-rays and their subsequent
processing.
Density continued .
X-rays make radiographic film black
Degree of blackness on a radiograph

depends on the amount of x-rays reaching
the film.
Density is influenced by the quantity and
quality of the x-ray beam, as well as the

type and thickness of the tissue under
examination.
Factors Affecting Radiographic

Density.
Greater radiographic density may be
produced by increasing:
Total # of x-rays that reach the film

The penetrating power of the x-rays
The developing time
The temperature of the developer
Lets Review
mAs- number of x-rays leaving the x-ray
tube in a set period of time.

When kVp increases, the penetrating
power increases as well. This means
more x-rays will reach the film causing a
darker radiograph.
Other Density Influences

Thickness and type of tissue being
radiographed.
Increase in thickness, means that the

patient can absorb more x-rays which will
results in a lighter image.
Large
animals absorb more x-rays, so less xrays reach the film, so the lighter the image.
To compensate, we increase the kVp.
Type of Tissue
Type of tissue affects density as well.
Higher density tissues will cause less xrays to reach film, therefore have lighter
areas on the film at that place.
Gray film, lacks good density
Contrast
Defined as visible difference between
two adjacent radiographic densities

Is divided into
Radiographic Contrast
Subject Contrast
Radiographic Contrast
Density between two adjacent areas on a
radiograph.
Many black and white areas means you have

contrast.
If a radiograph has many grays and a small density
difference between 2 adjacent areas, then it has
low contrast.
Need right amount of contrast. Not desirable to
have to high or too low of contrast. Need it to be
just right. Want grays, blacks and whites so eye
can easily see detail.
Contrast is influenced by:

kVp level
Subject contrast
Scatter radiation
Film type
Film fog
Subject Contrast
Defined as the difference in density and
mass between two adjacent anatomic

structures
Depends on:
Thickness of the anatomic part.

Density of the anatomic part.
Contrast Continued
Bone will have more white on the film
than soft tissue.

Bone -> high contrast -> low kVp
Soft tissue -> low contrast -> high kVp
Exposure factors
Poor contrast is due to inappropriate exposure
factors.
mAs- affects contrast when too little or too much
is used.
Primarily affects density so should not affect

contrast if proper kVp is used.
If mAs is insufficient, contrast is reduced because
overall density of the radiograph is reduced.
If quantity of x-rays reaching the film is too low, film
will be pale.
If too much mAs is applied, overall film will be
blacker but less effect on contrast.
How should mAs be adjusted?
Kilovoltage
Affects both contrast and density
Increase in kVp = Increase in
penetrating power.
Increase in kVp = shorter wavelengths
are produced.
As penetrating power increases, so does
scatter radiation. This can alter
radiographic contrast.
kVp
If too low, will have gray and white
appearance and image will be

imperceptible.
Will have low density because unable to
reach film.
Causes difficulty in distinguishing
anatomic organs
Scatter Radiation
Radiation that does not form an image
and is scattered in all directions.
Contrast is decreased because
inappropriate areas of the film are being

exposed.
Sources of Scatter Radiation

From the Patient
Table
Film Tray
Backscatter
Backscatter- radiation arising from
sources behind the image plane that are

scattered back to the image.
Avoid backscatter by limiting the size of
the x-ray beam so that the field does not
exceed the image receptor.
Cassettes contain lead- foil backing to
prevent backscatter from reaching the
film.
Grids
When thick body parts are being
radiographed, you want to minimize

scatter radiation, you do this by using a
grid.
Grid- device placed between the patient
and the radiographic film designed to
absorb non-image forming x-rays.
Composed of alternating strips of lead
and spacer material.
Grids Continued
Spacer material usually consists of fiber,
alumininum, or plastic because they

have low x-ray absorption
Grids may be
Placed on top of the cassette.

Built into the cassette.
Placed under the table between the patient
and the cassette.
Grid Pattern
Linear Grid- most table top machines are
equipped with a linear grid- Lead strips

parallel in their longitudinal axis.
Crossed Grid- 2 superimposed linear
grids absorbs maximum amount of

scatter radiation
Grids continued
Generally grids now are a part of the
cassette or the x-ray table.

Potter Bucky Diaphragm- usually found
in large animal situations.
Grids must be adequately cared for, can
not be dropped because will result in
permanent damage.
Radiographic Detail and

Definition
Terms used to describe image
sharpness, clarity, distinctness, and

perceptibility.
Lack of detail factors
1. Geometric unsharpness- loss of detail

due to geometric distortion
Large
focal spot size

Decreased SID
Motion
Screens and films
2. Geometric Distortion and
Magnification- variation in size and

shape of anatomic structures due to their
position in relation to the x-ray source
and film.
Important to keep areas being

radiographed parallel to image receptor to
avoid distortion.
Distortions
include: Magnification, elongation,

foreshortening.

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Radiographic Quality

Refers to how easily details can be

Need to obtain as much diagnostic

are produced by deposits of metallic

Degree of blackness on a radiograph

Density is influenced by the quantity and

quality of the x-ray beam, as well as the

Factors Affecting Radiographic

Total # of x-rays that reach the film

tube in a set period of time.

Other Density Influences

Increase in thickness, means that the

Gray film, lacks good density

two adjacent radiographic densities

Many black and white areas means you have

Contrast is influenced by:

mass between two adjacent anatomic

Thickness of the anatomic part.

than soft tissue.

mAs- affects contrast when too little or too much

Primarily affects density so should not affect

How should mAs be adjusted?

appearance and image will be

and is scattered in all directions.

Contrast is decreased because

inappropriate areas of the film are being

Sources of Scatter Radiation

sources behind the image plane that are

radiographed, you want to minimize

alumininum, or plastic because they

Placed on top of the cassette.

equipped with a linear grid- Lead strips

grids absorbs maximum amount of

cassette or the x-ray table.

Radiographic Detail and

sharpness, clarity, distinctness, and

1. Geometric unsharpness- loss of detail

focal spot size

2. Geometric Distortion and

Magnification- variation in size and

Important to keep areas being

include: Magnification, elongation,

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