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TECHNICAL ARTIFACTS & ERRORS

Lavin: pp. 97-100

CTVT: pp. 566-567
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Why review artifacts?

• Definition: Anything that
decreases the quality of a
radiograph, resulting in difficult
evaluation and interpretation
• Preparation for lab assignments

• Recognizing artifacts and when

they occur is the only way to
make good radiographs.
• If you don’t recognize ‘em,
you can’t fix ‘em!
• It’s possible to make a mistake
at any stage of the radiographic
process…
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Categories of Artifacts
Knowing at what point in the process an artifact is
created can help you fix the problem…

• Categories:
• Pre-exposure/Handling
• Exposure
• Positioning
• Obstruction/Materials
• Processing
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Pre-Exposure/Handling Artifacts
Definition: Artifacts caused before the film is exposed

Examples:
• Quantum mottle
• Chemical smudges
• Fingerprints
• Poor screen/film contact
• Film fog
• Blank screen
• Rough handling
• Cleaner residue
• Light leaks
• Reticulation
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Quantum Mottle
What is it?
• An underexposure error

• Dupont intensifying screens have

the tendency to absorb moisture,
causing a swelling of the
emulsion.
• Appears as tiny raised points or
bubbles along the edge of the
screen that gradually work their
way to the center
• Develops if clinic is too dusty or
humid
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Screen Defects: Quantum Mottle

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Screen Defects: Chemical Smudges

Can happen at any point of the radiographic process when
chemicals are transferred to the film inadvertently
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Barium behind the screen…

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Fingerprints
• Usually show on a
film in white
• Can be caused by:
• Oil on the fingertips
that blocks the
developer
• Fixer on fingertips
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Poor Screen/Film Contact

Causes image to lose sharpness
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Film Fog
• Any unwanted exposure of film
prior to taking a radiograph
• Decreases image contrast/detail
• Causes:
• Light exposure
• Heat
• Humidity
• Radiation
• Chemicals
• Aged film
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Film Fog

Caused by
improper safelight
filter
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Blank Image
• Film that didn’t receive any radiation
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Rough Handling: Creases

• Abrasions on the image

resulting from film
mishandling
• Includes rough removal
from the film box
• Pressure from crease
causes activation of
crystals
• Usually not caused by
fingernails
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Screen Cleaner Residue

• Causes chemical spots that mar the radiograph surface
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Darkroom Light Leaks

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Reticulation
• A darkroom artifact
produced by variable
chemical
temperatures that
cause irregular
expansion/contraction
of the film emulsion
• Gives a mottled
density appearance.
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Exposure Artifacts
Occur during the process of exposing the film

• Examples:
• Debris
• Double exposure
• Off-Focus radiation
• Human hands
• Motion
• Blur
• Low density
• Grid deterioration
• Static electricity
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Debris
• Material on the film or intensifying
screen
• Usually shows as white with sharp
margins
• Occurs when visible light photons
from the screen can’t reach and
expose the film emulsion
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Double Exposure
• Appearance of 2 images in 1
• Caused by film inadvertently
exposed more than once
• Exposure trigger pedal
pushed twice
• Forget to change cassette
after first view
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Off-Focus Radiation
• “Extrafocal" radiation
• Produced by electrons
bouncing off & impacting
the anode outside the focal
spot.
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Human Hand
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Motion
• Patient movement resulting
in a lack of image sharpness
• Can be voluntary or
involuntary
• Best controlled by short
exposure times
• Reduce with:
• Better restraint
• Sedation
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Blur
Movement of the film, body, or x-ray tube head during
exposure
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Low Density/Faint
• Density = blackness = x-rays
Grid Deterioration

• A worn out grid will

put an image of itself
on every radiographic
image.
• Gridlines may appear
on the radiograph

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Static Electricity
• Can be discharged at any
time
• Usually shows as black
• Cause is electrical discharge
• Can be prevented by:
• Managing humidity
• Avoiding friction while
handling film
• Antistatic cassette
cleaners
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Positioning
Artifacts caused by
patient positioning on
the table

Examples:
• Patient Rotation
• Distortion
• Magnification
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Patient Rotation

• A form of distortion
• Lesions may be masked
by atypical
superimposition on normal
anatomy
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Distortion
• X-ray beam does not
pass perpendicular to
long axis of structure
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Magnification
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Obstruction/Materials
Artifacts caused by foreign
objects blocking the x-ray beam
or otherwise impacting the
image

Examples:
• Equipment artifacts
• Material obstructing the X-
ray beam
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Equipment Artifact

In this image, a small

screw fell out of the
collimator shutter onto the
window.
Because of the distance to
the patient, it is magnified.
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Material Obstructing X-Ray Beam

• Caused by any radio-
opaque structure in the
path of the xray beam
• Can be:
• On patient
• In patient
• On table
• On cassette
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Obstruction in Patient
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Obstruction in Patient
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Obstruction in Patient
Obstruction on Patient
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Processing
Artifacts associated with the chemical process
Examples:
• Exhausted chemicals
• Exhausted fixer
• Inadequate fixing
• Roller marks
• Water spots
• Under-washed
• Films stuck together
• Handling folds
• Static electricity
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Exhausted Chemicals
• Film is processed with exhausted developer
• Overall image lacks correct density and contrast
• Washed-out appearance.
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Exhausted Fixer
• Film is processed with
exhausted fixer.
• Has a milky
appearance and may
appear to be pink from
the dye used in the
green-receiving film.
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Inadequate Fixing
• Initially film is
cloudy/milky
• Over time, appears
yellow/brown
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Left in Fixer Too Long

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Roller Marks
• Can be caused by
unclean or poorly
functioning rollers
inside the automatic
processor
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Water Spots
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Under Washed

Fixer remains on
film
• Cloudy, sticky
residue
• Yellow-brown
stain
• Sulfur smell
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Films Stuck Together

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Handling Folds in Film

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Static Electricity
• Can be released when
film is placed into
processing tray
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