UNIT 3: Post-Processing Flashcards
Is the Image receptor response to exposure linear or not?
Linear response to the IR exposure
Diagnostic x-ray
Acceptable level of noise with the lowest possible patient dose
T or F: As CNR decreases, spatial resolution decreases
True
Is higher or lower CNR better?
Higher
Is higher or lower SNR better?
Higher
Spatial domain
Sorts the information by location on the Detector
Intensity domain
Sorts the information by pixel value (gray shade)
Frequency domain
Sorts the information by size of structure
T or F: small objects have a low spatial frequency
False, they have a high spatial frequency. Large objects have a low spatial frequency
Kernels are also called
Masks or Filters
Image to Image transformation: Spatial Resolution
Input image —> Kernel —> Output image
Image to Image transformation: Frequency Domain
Input image —> Fourier transform —> Frequency filter —> Reverse Fourier transform —> Output image
Operator adjustments made to a processed image
-Window level
-Image Inversion
-Edge enhancement
-Image Re-orienting(flip or rotate)
-Image Zoom
-Annotation
Multifrequency processing
-The computer places contrast and noise in a separate layer, which can be removed from the final image
-Can separate the image into frequency or structural size components called layers or band and each layer can be processed separately from other layers
Steps of Post-Processing
- Default Gradation processing (application of the LUT)
- Detail processing
- Formatting for display
- Image Displayed
- Operator adjustments
What is gradation processing/gradient processing? What does gradient mean?
-Grayscale processing for contrast of an image via the Look Up Table. It also refers to changes in the contrast scale of the image. Also affects the slope of the contrast meaning does the image need to be more short/high scale contrast with a steeper slope or long scale contrast.
-Gradient: describes the rate of change in a scale or how steep the slope is
What is the purpose of the LUT?
LUT is a set of output values and the mathematical calculations that the input values are subjected to in order to produce image contrast. A table of numbers used to perform gradient functions on the image to change the grayscale latitude or slope of the contrast curve
T or F: image brightness or contrast are primarily determined by the LUT rather than the exposure to the IR
True
Data clipping
• Narrowing of the range of values
• This occurs if the image is overly adjusted, resulting in some data loss
How might data clipping negatively affect image quality?
Occurs when the technologist windows the image too much at the QC station prior to sending the image to PACS. Data clipping limits the radiologists ability to window the image and can affect diagnosis because it can make the contrast very low which would make it harder for the radiologist to interpret. Techs should avoid sending images to PACS that have been windowed at the QC station
What is CNR (Contrast to Noise Ratio)?
The ratio of the difference of signal intensities of 2 regions of interest to the imaging noise and is dependent upon both digital image contrast and signal to noise ratio (SNR). In other words, it is irrelevant contrast (difference between densities) that exists in the image. So the measure of the contrast between tissue of interest and background
How is CNR measured?
Measured using ROI (Region of Interest) which is a quantitative measurement of the pixel values within a selected region
Detail processing is performed to
Correct for image noise and enhance certain structures
In which 2 domains might detail processing occur?
-Spatial domain
-Frequency domain
When detail processing is performed in the spatial domain, what type of algorithm is used?
It is accomplished using kernels using linear processing techniques. A linear filtering technique occurs when the output image is created using a weighted sum of the input pixels