Imaging with X rays Flashcards
Define spatial resolution:
this is the ability to detect fine details.
T/F?
The degree of contrast between tissue type is extrinsic to imaging technique.
False
The degree of contrast between tissue type is EXTRINSIC to the imaging technique. It depends on the properties of tissues and the method of image formation.
In digital imaging it may be enhanced using post processing features.
Define contrast:
this is the ability to distinguish between adjacent structures in the image.
How would you test for SR?
equally spaced bars , the space between them is the same as the width.
SR as the highest occurring freq of lines that can be resolved
What is the unit of SR?
number of lines per mm or cm.
with a resolution of 101 lp/mm, you might expect to resolve details as small as ………mm
0.05mm
The smallest visible detail size is approximately half of the inverse of the resolution expressed in this way.
This type of noise is seen as graininess in fluoroscopy
Quantum mottle
T/F?
SNR increases as the number of photons increases.
True
once the x ray is passed through the patient, its captured on a large phosphor screen. this converts the invisible x ray into a visible image. What happens next: (3)
- recorded as a -ve image on film- film screen radiography
- recorded electronically prior to printing on a hard copy device- CR/DDR
- Displayed as a +ve image on a TV monitor- fluoroscopy
what does teh tissue contrast depend on?
The thickness of the structure
and the difference in linear attenuation coefficient of the tissues involved.
C ~(LAC1-LAC2)t
T/F?
The thicker the structure the greater is the contrast.
True
what does the attenuation depend on?
on tissue density and atomic number
What is the effect of high Kv on contarst
the higher the kv, the smaller the attenuation coefficient and the difference between them and therefore the less the contrast.
Why low KV increases contrast and vice versa?
The contrast is large at low kv because of the effect of photoelectric absorption in higher atomic number material (eg bone and muscle). It decreases notably as kv is increased and teh relative probability of compton increases
what is the effect of kv and contrast in low atomic number:
the contrast bwn the low atomic number tissues eg fat and muscle is small and does not decrease very much when the tube kv is increased.
The contarst bwn air and tissue (similar atomic number ) is due to what?
due to large difference is density
how could we increase contrast between soft tissue?
- lower the kv
2. use contrast medium with high atomic number to max photoelectric absorption.
what is Z and Ek of Iodine
Z= 53 EK= 33 KeV
what is Z and Ek of BARIUM?
Z= 56 EK= 37KeV
What is the minimum dose to produce satisfactory image in film screen radiography?
3 microGy
What is the minimum dose to produce satisfactory image in fluoroscopy?
0.2-0.5 microGy /s
T/F?
The entrance surface dose is usually lower than the exit dose.
False
The entrance surface dose -ESD- is usually much higher than the exit dose.
Compare the ESD with exit dose for the following.
- PA CXR
- skull
- AP pelvis
- Lateral view of lumbar spine
- 10x greater
- 100x
3.1000x
4.5000x
The averaged absorbed dose is within the region being imaged lie somewhere bwn entrance and exit dose.
what is the effect of increasing mA on dose and film density?
Increasing mA increases dose- both ESD and exiting dose.
It also produces darker image.
What is the effect of increasing kV on beam quality?
using a higher kV makes the beam more penetrating and increases the proportion of high energy photons that reach the screen film.
what is the effect of increasing kV on ESD and exit dose?
a lower entrance dose is needed for the same exit dose.
Increasing kV—> reduces ESD (skin dose)
what is the effect of filtration on skin dose?
increasing filtration reduces skin dose despite the fact that an increase in mA is needed.
T/F?
Increasing the focus to film distance-FFD- increases the dose to patient.
False
Increasing the focus to film distance-FFD- REDUCES the dose to patient.(SKIN DOSE),
although this necessitates increasing the mA needed to produce the desired image, it nevertheless reduces the skin dose.
The S/P depends on what?
The S(scattered radiation)/P (primary beam) depend on
- thickness of the patient’s body and
- the area of the beam.
What is the S/P for
- PA chest
- Lateral pelvis
- 4:1 for PA chest
- 9:1 for a lateral pelvis
What is the effect of volume of tissue irradiated and scatter?
The amount of scatter produced in the patient may be decreased by decreasing the volume of tissue irradiated.
How could you reduce the volume of tissue being irradiated?
By using collimation
By compression
Name three ways in which scatter is controlled by with penalty of increasing mA and hence patient’s dose:
- kV
- Grid
- Air gap
What is the effect of kV on contrast and why?
Reducing the kV does increase the contrast but primarily because of the increased differential photoelectric absorption.
What is a grid?
it consists of thin strips of heavy metal sandwiched between thicker strips of low attenuation interspace material.
What is the effect of air gap on contrast
use of air gap increases contrast but necessiates an increase in teh kV or mA.
it results in a magnified image.