Chapter 19 – Image Quality

Radiographic Quality

Film Factors Geometric Subject

Factors Factors
Characterist • Distor Contrast
ic curve tion
• Densi • Magni • Thic
ty ficatio kne
n ss
• Contr • Blur • D
ast ensi
ty
• Spee • A
d tomi
c
num
ber
• Latitu Motion
de

Processing
• Time
• Temp
eratur
e

Optical Density – the degree of blackness of a radiograph. Optical density is the

numerical value calculated between the level of light incident on a processed step
wedge image.

mAs – Exposure Factors

mAs is directly proportional to x-ray quality.
2x mAs = 2x x-ray exposure
½ mAs = ½ x-ray exposure

Visibility of detail – the ability to see the detail or the sharpness of the radiographic
image sharpness of image detail refers to the structural lines or borders of tissues in
the radiographic image.
Influencing Factors Regarding Density
1. kVp – primary controlling factor for contrast
2. Distance
3. Heel effect
4. Intensifying screens
5. Beam limiting device
6. Grids
7. Filtration
8. Patient Consideration
9. Processing
10.Contrast Media

↑kVp 15% = 2x density

↓kVp 15% = ½ density

I.e. Hand X-Ray

Technique: 50 mA, 1/30 sec, 60 kVp
In order to reduce motion, what new technique can be employ using the same
density?

Direct Square Law

New mAs = New Distance2

Old mAs Old Distance2

If 25 mAs at 40 inches produces an optical density of 1.0, what mAs is needed to

produce the same density at 32 inches?

X new = 25 mAs X 1024

1600
X = 16 mAs

Density – Intensifying screens

Screens act as an amplifier of the remnant radiation reaching the film.

Density – optical density is the numerical value calculated between the levels of
light incident on a processed step wedge image.

(lo) and the level of light transmitted through the film (lt)

Optical density is defined as follows:

OD = log10 X lo/ lt
An optical density of 1 = 1/10 or 10% of light transmitted through the film (refer to
table 19-1).

Characteristic curve, sensitometric curve, H&D curve & Dloge curve.

Shoulder
H&D Curve
 Straight-line
Portion

Toe

Every 0.3 on the densitometer (x-axis) →doubling the mAs - x-ray output.
Useful range of OD is approximately 0.25 to 2.5 = straight line portion of H&D
curve.

Film speed
1. The ability of an image receptor to respond to a low x-ray exposure is a
measure of its sensitivity or its speed.
2. Film speed and screen speed are considered the same; therefore the film and
screen combination speeds are referred to as the image-receptor speed.
3. When changing from one IR speed to another, a change in mAs may be
necessary to maintain the same optical density.

• Rare earth (200-1200 speed) = ¼ X mAs

• Fast (CaWO4, 200 speed) = ½ X mAs
• Par (CaWO4, 100 speed) = 1 X mAs
• Detail (CaWO4, 50 speed) = 2 X mAs
• Ultra Detail (CaWO4, 100 speed) = 4 X mAs

Increase the screen film, it will increase density. To maintain the same density, use
relative speed factor.
The steeper the slope, there is less latitude.
Speed and latitude are inherent.

1. Film latitude – the emulsion must be able to record a relatively long range of
densities, from the blackest black (gas or air) to the whitest white (dense
osseous structures or barium filled organs), with all shades in between.
2. Exposure latitude – the capability of a film to record differences in density.
Therefore, density changes in mAs are less critical with higher kVp values.
There is more margin of error.

Optical density/ radiographic density

OD is controlled by two major factors:
 1. mAs – milliamperes X seconds
2. Distance – source-to-image distance (SID)
mAs is the primary controlling factor manipulation of OD.

mAs – Exposure Factors

mAs is directly proportional to x-ray quantity
2x mAs = 2x x-ray exposure
½ mAs = ½ x-ray exposure
mAs/ mA = seconds mAs/seconds = mA
±30 – 50% of the original mAs will make a change in radiographic density

Screen speed
Rare earth phosphors (200-1200) ¼ X mAs
High speed (CaWO4 - 200) ½ X mAs
Par/medium speed (CaWO4 - 100)

mAs new = Screen speed old

mAs old Screen speed new

200 mA, 1/40 sec, 70 kVp, using 200 speed screen/film

Grid – effects on density

1. Absorption of scattered radiation
2. Decrease fog
3. Decreases radiographic density
4. mAs must increase to compensate for the increase in absorption of the x-ray
energy
5. Grid conversion factor: (see lab manual p.87)

mAs new = Grid conversion new

mAs old Grid conversion old

A technique of 200 mA, 1/3 sec, 80 kVp with 8:1 grid is used to reach an optimum
density, what change in technique should be made using a 16:1 grid?

X = 66.6 mAs X 6
4
X = 399.6
4
X = 99.9