Principles of Imaging Science II (RAD 120)

EXAM 1 Content Contrast

Spring 2011 1

CONTRAST

Ensures visibility of detail Dependent upon adequate density Density difference between adjacent structures Changes in density affect image contrast Controlling factor: kVp

Types of Contrast

Kilovoltage Selection

Based upon anatomical part and department protocol Altering contrast

8 15% change in kvp recommended for repeats Visible changes achieved by: % change Value kvp 30 50 4 5% 1 3 kVp 50 90 8 9% 4 8 kVp 90 130 10 12% 9 16 kVp

CONTRAST

HIGH CONTRAST

LOW CONTRAST

Low kVp Black & White Short scale contrast Used for skeletal anatomy

High kVp Shades of gray Long scale contrast Used for Chest, KUB, or as warranted by M.D.

Quantity (Amount) of Irradiated Material

Dependent on thickness of part and field size Increase in thickness and field size

Increase scatter Longer scale of contrast

Type of Irradiated Material

Influenced by atomic number and tissue density High atomic number and tissue density

Greater attenuation

Large difference in atomic number and tissue density of adjacent tissues

High contrast

Contrast Influencing Factors:

(Based upon adequate density due to compensation)

Influencing Factors:

mAs (n/a) Under or overexposure moves contrast out of visibility Beam restriction - Direct Anatomical part

Dependent on tissue type, thickness, pathology etc.

Grids - Direct Filtration - Indirect

Anode Heel Effect n/a FSS n/a SID n/a OID - Direct RSS - Direct Film processing - Indirect

Types of Contrast:

Image Receptor Contrast

Range of recorded densities that are plausible for the image receptor

Dependent on four factors

Intensifying screen Film density Slope of D log E curve Processing

Types of Contrast:

Image Receptor (Film) Factors

Film contrast is dependent upon:

Intensifying Screens

Higher contrast results with screen usage when compared with non-screen use (n/a rad) Film contrast changes with changes in film density Correctly exposed films will result in densities in visible range OD = 0.25 3.0

Film Density

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Film Contrast: D log E Curve

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D log E Curve

Steeper slope will produce a higher contrast

Visible densities are compressed into narrow range

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Image Receptor

Processing

Increasing developer time, temp. or replenishment rate increases film fog Curve A: Contrast is reduced, slope is decreased, toe is raised due to increased fog

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Contrast

Controlling Factor

Kilovoltage Inversely related to contrast: As kVp increases, contrast decreases

Adequate density demonstrated

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