MACRORADIOGRAPHY
(PRINCIPLE AND
APPLICATION)
RADG 427 PRESENTATION
U17RD1039
16th February, 2023.
OUTLINE
Introduction.
Principle.
Equipment .
Limitations.
Applications.
Advantages and disadvantages.
Conclusion.
Reference.
INTRODUCTION
Macroradiography, often referred to as
magnification radiography and direct
enlargement radiography[7].
It is, put simply, a radiographic technique used
to produce an enlarged image by direct
magnification in order to enhance the
visualization of the object under examination [4-
6]
.
It is able to achieve this due to the divergent
nature of the x-ray beam.
HISTORY
Macroradiography with its roots in
conventional radiography did not emerge as
a specialized technique until 1928 when
Italian radiologist Alessandro Vallebona [8]
devised a new method for direct enlargement
of radiographic images.
Through further experimentation and the
increased need to improve accurate
diagnosis, the concept of macroradiography
would later evolve.
With the help of Toshiba Co., a very finely
biased focal spot rotating anode tube was
produced for clinical practice[7].
S. Takahashi and S. Sakuma, 1975
PRINCIPLE
Under normal radiographic situations, magnification
is kept to minimum by applying two rules; 1. Keep
the object as close to the film as possible, and 2.
Keep the focus-film distance as large as possible[5].
Chesney’s, 1995.
PRINCIPLE
In macroradiography however, the object is
placed midway from between the x-ray
tube with a small focal spot size and the x-
ray film so a magnified image is obtained
as the x-ray diverges [6-7]. While the OFD
changes, the FFD is kept constant.
Magnification is also achieved by
increasing the FFD and keeping the FOD
fixed [7].
EQUIPMENT
1. An x-ray tube or source.
2. Flat plate, film or digital detector.
3. Collimator.
4. Lead shielding.
5. Image processing equipment.
6. Immobilization devices.
LIMITATIONS
Limitations occur while using this technique
in the form of;
1. Geometric unsharpness.
2. X-ray tube rating.
3. Motional unsharpness.
APPLICATIONS
Macroradiography as a specialized technique has its use limited to a
few specific regions of the body, where the problems listed can be
overcome successfully. The list below is by no means exhaustive but
it includes the more common applications of macroradiography:
(1) Carpal bones of the wrist (especially the scaphoid bone);
(2) Bones of the hand, e.g. for early detection of metabolic bone
disease;
(3) Temporal bone;
(4) Lacrimal drainage ducts during dacrocystography;
(5) Cerebral angiography.
(6) Flouroscopy procedures [6].
(7) Mammography.
A mammography
unit.
DISADVANTAGES
Radiation exposure: Macroradiography uses
ionizing radiation, which can be harmful to
human tissue if not used properly. The
radiation exposure dose increases with
increase in the magnification factor [7].
Equipment and expertise: Macroradiography
requires specialized equipment and
expertise, making it difficult to perform in
some areas and increasing the cost of the
procedure.
ADVANTAGES
It provides images with finer anatomic detail
(spatial resolution) than the original and thus,
aiding accurate diagnosis.
Scatter reduction: The large object-film distance
used in macroradiography creates a welcome
reduction in the amount of forward-scattered
radiation reaching the film from the patient (by
virtue of the air gap technique) that might
adversely affect image quality. Consequently, it is
not necessary to employ a secondary-radiation grid,
even for regions such as the skull or spine where,
with orthodox techniques, a grid would be essential
[6]
.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is a valuable diagnostic tool
that enlarges anatomic organs for precise
diagnosis.
Such a simple technique could possibly
decrease patient referrals to other imaging
modalities such as nuclear medicine and MRI.
REFERENCES
Thompson MA, Hattaway M.P., Hall JD, Dowd SB. Principles of Imaging
Science and Protection. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 1994:273.
Clark et al. Positioning in Radiography. Clark’s positioning in
Radiography. Oxford, UK: Heinemann, 1986:405-11.
Schuler BA. Clinical Applications of Basic X-ray Physics Principles.
Radiographics 1998; 18:731-44.
Perara TW, Nuttall LN. Visual Appreciation of Unsharpness Factors in
Macroradiography. Radiography 1972; 38:44-6.
Curry, T. S., et al. Christensen’s Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, (4 th
edn). Philidelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, 1990:228-30.
Moore, A.D., et al. Chesney’s Radiographic Imaging, (6th edn). Boston,
USA: WileyBlackwell, 1995.
S. Takahashi and S. Sakuma. Magnification Radiography. New York:
Springer-Verlag, 1975.
Vallebona, A. Radiography with Great Enlargement (microradiography)
and a Technical Method for the Radiographic Dissociation of the
shadow. Radiology.
. Pacifici S, Bickle I, Knipe H, et al. Magnification view (manmography). Reference article,
Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Feb 2023) https:/doi.org/10.53347/rID-16209
