TOPIC 7:

IMAGE
ACQUISI
TION

IM
AG
E
FO ANGELIKA YVONE JOSEPH

RM
RHONE JULIUS MANGYAO

2ND BS RADTECH

AT
IO
 To produce a radiographic image, x-ray photons must pass through tissue and interact with an image
receptor (IR) (a device that receives the radiation leaving the patient), such as an imaging plate in
computed radiography (CR). Both the quantity and the quality of the primary x-ray beam affect its
interaction within the various tissues that make up the anatomic part. In addition, the composition of
the anatomic tissues affects the x-ray beam interaction. The absorption characteristics of the anatomic
part are determined by its thickness, atomic number, and tissue density or compactness of the cellular
structures. Finally, the radiation that exits the patient is composed of varying energies and interacts with
the image receptor to form the latent or invisible image and must be processed.

A visible radiographic image is produced following processing of the latent or invisible image. Depending
on the type of imaging system, acquiring, processing, and displaying of the image can vary significantly.
However, the attributes of a quality radiographic image are similar regardless of the type of imaging
system. This research focuses on how the image is formed and its quality after processing.

Image Formation

The process of image formation is a result of differential absorption of the x-ray beam as it interacts with
the anatomic tissue. Differential absorption is a process whereby some of the x-ray beam is absorbed in
the tissue and some passes through (transmits) the anatomic part. The term differential is used because
varying anatomic parts do not absorb the primary beam to the same degree. Anatomic parts composed
of bone absorb more x-ray photons than parts filled with air. Differential absorption of the primary x-ray
beam creates an image that structurally represents the anatomic area of interest.

As the primary x-ray beam interacts with the anatomic part, photons are absorbed, scattered, and
transmitted. The differences in the absorption characteristics of the anatomic part create an image that
structurally represents the anatomic part.
A radiographic image is created by passing an x-ray beam through the patient and
interacting with an image receptor, such as an imaging plate in computed radiography (CR).
The variations in absorption and transmission of the exiting x-ray beam structurally
represent the anatomic area of interest.
Creating a radiographic image by differential absorption requires that several processes occur: beam
attenuation, absorption, and transmission.

Beam Attenuation

As the primary x-ray beam passes through anatomic tissue, it loses some of its energy. Fewer x-ray
photons remain in the beam after it interacts with anatomic tissue. This reduction in the energy or
number of photons in the primary x-ray beam is known as attenuation. Beam attenuation occurs as a
result of the photon interactions with the atomic structures that comprise the tissues. Two distinct
processes occur during beam attenuation: absorption and scattering.

Absorption

As the energy of the primary x-ray beam is deposited within the atoms comprising the tissue, some x-ray
photons are completely absorbed. Complete absorption of the incoming x-ray photon occurs when it
has enough energy to remove (eject) an inner-shell electron. The ejected electron is called a
photoelectron and quickly loses energy by interacting with nearby tissues. The ability to remove (eject)
electrons, known as ionization, is one of the characteristics of x-rays. In the diagnostic range, this x-ray
interaction with matter is known as the photoelectric effect.

With the photoelectric effect, the ionized atom has a vacancy, or electron hole, in its inner shell. An
electron from an outer shell drops down to fill the vacancy. Because of the difference in binding energies
between the two electron shells, a secondary x-ray photon is emitted . This secondary x-ray photon
typically has very low energy and is unlikely to exit the patient.
X-ray Photon Absorption

During attenuation of the x-ray beam, the photoelectric effect is responsible for total absorption of the
incoming x-ray photon.

The probability of total photon absorption during the photoelectric effect depends on the energy of the
incoming x-ray photon and the atomic number of the anatomic tissue. The energy of the incoming x-ray
photon must be at least equal to the binding energy of the inner-shell electron. After absorption of
some of the x-ray photons, the overall energy or quantity of the primary beam decreases as it passes
through the anatomic part.

Scattering

Some incoming photons are not absorbed but instead lose energy during interactions with the atoms
comprising the tissue. This process is called scattering. It results from the diagnostic x-ray interaction
with matter known as the Compton effect. The loss of energy of the incoming photon occurs when it
ejects an outer-shell electron from a tissue atom. The ejected electron is called a Compton electron or
secondary electron. The remaining lower-energy x-ray photon changes direction and may leave the
anatomic part to interact with the image receptor

During the Compton effect, the incoming photon loses energy and changes its direction.

Compton interactions can occur within all diagnostic x-ray energies and are an important interaction in
radiography. The probability of a Compton interaction occurring depends on the energy of the incoming
photon. It does not depend on the atomic number of the anatomic tissue. For example, a Compton
interaction is just as likely to occur in soft tissue as in tissue composed of bone.

When a higher kVp is used, the overall number of x-ray interactions with matter decrease because of
increased photon transmission. However, the percentage of photoelectric interactions generally
decreases at higher kilovoltages within the diagnostic range, whereas the percentage of Compton
interactions is likely to increase at higher kilovoltages within the diagnostic range
COMPARING PHOTOELECTRIC AND COMPTON EFFECTS

Photoelectric Effect

• Incoming photon has sufficient energy to eject an inner-shell electron and be completely absorbed.

• An electron from an upper-level shell fills the electron hole or vacancy.

• A secondary photon is created because of the difference in the electrons’ binding energies.

• The probability of this effect depends on the energy of the incoming x-ray photon and the composition
of the anatomic tissue.

• Fewer photon interactions occur at higher kVp, but of those interactions, a smaller percentage are
photoelectric interactions.

Compton Effect

• Incoming photon loses energy when it ejects an outer shell electron and changes direction.

• The scattered photon may be absorbed within the patient tissues, leave the anatomic part, interact
with the image receptor, or expose anyone near the patient.

• Scattered photons that strike the image receptor provide no useful information.

• The probability of this effect depends on the energy of the incoming x-ray photon but not the
composition of the anatomic tissue.

• Fewer photon interactions occur at higher kVp, but a greater percentage of those interactions are
Compton interactions.

Coherent scattering is an interaction that occurs with low-energy x-rays, typically below the diagnostic
range. The incoming photon interacts with the atom, causing it to become excited. The x-ray does not
lose energy, but it changes direction. Coherent scattering could occur within the diagnostic range of x-
rays and may interact with the image receptor, but it is not considered an important interaction in
radiography.

If a scattered photon strikes the image receptor, it does not contribute any useful information about the
anatomic area of interest. If scattered photons are absorbed within the anatomic tissue, they contribute
to the radiation exposure to the patient. In addition, if the scattered photon leaves the patient and does
not strike the image receptor, it could contribute to the radiation exposure of anyone near the patient.

The preceding discussion focused on photon interactions that occur in radiography when using x-ray
energies within the moderate range. Higher-energy x-rays, beyond the diagnostic range, result in other
interactions: pair production and photodisintegration. X-ray interactions beyond the diagnostic range
are important in radiation therapy.

Factors Affecting Beam Attenuation

The amount of x-ray beam attenuation is affected by the thickness of the anatomic part, its atomic
number and tissue density, and the energy of the x-ray beam.
Tissue Thickness

For a given anatomic tissue, increasing its thickness increases beam attenuation by either absorption or
scattering. X-rays are attenuated exponentially and generally reduced by approximately 50% for each 4
to 5 cm (1.6 to 2 inches) of tissue thickness (Figure 3-4). More x-rays are needed to produce a
radiographic image for a thicker anatomic part. Fewer x-rays are needed to produce a radiographic
image for a thinner anatomic part.

FIGURE 3-4 X-rays are attenuated exponentially and generally reduced by approximately 50% for each 4
to 5 cm (1.6 to 2 inches) of tissue thickness.

Type of Tissue

Tissue composed of a higher atomic number, such as bone, attenuates the x-ray beam more than tissue
composed of a lower atomic number, such as fat. The higher atomic number indicates there are more
atomic particles to absorb or scatter the x-ray photon. X-ray absorption is more likely to occur in tissues
composed of a higher atomic number compared with tissues composed of a lower atomic number.

Tissue density (matter per unit volume), or the compactness of the atomic particles comprising the
anatomic part, also affect the amount of beam attenuation. For example, muscle and fat tissue are
similar in atomic number; however, their atomic particles differ in compactness, and tissue density
varies. Muscle tissue has atomic particles that are more dense or compact and therefore attenuate the
x-ray beam more than fat cells. Bone is composed of tissue with a higher atomic number, and the atomic
particles are more compacted or dense. Anatomic tissues are typically ranked based on their attenuation
properties. Four substances account for most of the beam attenuation in the human body: bone,
muscle, fat, and air. Bone attenuates the x-ray beam more than muscle, muscle attenuates the x-ray
beam more than fat, and fat attenuates the x-ray beam more than air. The atomic number of the
anatomic part and its tissue density affect x-ray beam attenuation.
X-ray Beam Quality

The quality of the x-ray beam or its penetrating ability affects its interaction with anatomic tissue.
Higher-penetrating x-rays (shorter wavelength with higher frequency) are more likely to be transmitted
through anatomic tissue without interacting with the tissues’ atomic structures. Lower-penetrating x-
rays (longer wavelength with lower frequency) are more likely to interact with the atomic structures and
be either absorbed or scattered. The kilovoltage selected during x-ray production determines the energy
or penetrability of the x-ray photon, and this affects its attenuation in anatomic tissue. Beam
attenuation is decreased with a higher-energy x-ray beam and increased with a lower-energy x-ray beam

Factors Affecting Attenuation

Factor Beam Attenuation Absorption Transmission

Tissue Thickness

• Increasing thickness ↑ ↑ ↓

• Decreasing thickness ↓ ↓ ↑

Tissue Atomic Number

• Increasing atomic no. ↑ ↑ ↓

• Decreasing atomic no. ↓ ↓ ↑

Tissue Density

• Increasing tissue density ↑ ↑ ↓

• Decreasing tissue density ↓ ↓ ↑

X-ray Beam Quality

• Increasing beam quality ↓ ↓ ↑

• Decreasing beam quality ↑ ↑ ↓

 Important Relationship
Factors Affecting Beam Attenuation

Increasing tissue thickness, atomic number, and tissue density increase x-ray beam attenuation because
more x-rays are absorbed by the tissue. Increasing the quality of the x-ray beam decreases beam
attenuation because the higher-energy x-rays penetrate the tissue.

Transmission

If the incoming x-ray photon passes through the anatomic part without any interaction with the atomic
structures, it is called transmission (Figure 3-5). The combination of absorption and transmission of the
x-ray beam provides an image that structurally represents the anatomic part. Because scatter radiation
is also a process that occurs during interaction of the x-ray beam and anatomic part, the quality of the
image created is compromised if the scattered photon strikes the image receptor.

 Some incoming x-ray photons pass through the anatomic part without any interactions.

Exit Radiation

When the attenuated x-ray beam leaves the patient, the remaining x-ray beam, referred to as exit
radiation or remnant radiation, is composed of both transmitted and scattered radiation . The varying
amounts of transmitted and absorbed radiation (differential absorption) create an image that
structurally represents the anatomic area of interest. Scatter exit radiation (Compton interactions) that
reach the image receptor do not provide any diagnostic information about the anatomic area. Scatter
radiation creates unwanted exposure on the image called fog. 
 Radiation that exits the anatomic part comprises transmitted and scattered radiation.

 Important Relationship

X-ray Interaction with Matter

When the diagnostic primary x-ray beam interacts with anatomic tissues, three processes occur:
absorption, scattering, and transmission.

The areas within the anatomic tissue that absorb incoming x-ray photons (photoelectric effect) create
the white or clear areas (more brightness or low density) on the displayed image. The incoming x-ray
photons that are transmitted create areas of less brightness or high density on the displayed image.
Anatomic tissues that vary in absorption and transmission create a range of brightness or shades of gray
(Figure 3-7). The various shades of gray recorded in the radiographic image make anatomic tissue visible.
Skeletal bones are differentiated from the air-filled lungs because of their differences in absorption and
transmission.
A radiographic image represents the various absorption characteristics of the anatomic part. An area of
high density (low brightness) is where the x-ray beam was transmitted, and an area of low density (high
brightness) is where the x-ray beam was absorbed. Anatomic tissues that vary in absorption and
transmission create the shades of gray on the image.

Less than 5% of the primary x-ray beam interacting with the anatomic part actually reaches the image
receptor, and an even lower percentage is used to create the radiographic image. The exit radiation that
interacts with an image receptor creates the latent image, or invisible image. This latent image is not
visible until it is processed to produce the manifest image, or visible image.
  Important Relationship

Image Brightness or Densities

The range of image brightness or densities visible after processing is a result of the variation in x-ray
absorption and transmission as the x-ray beam passes through anatomic tissues.

Radiographic Quality

A quality radiographic image accurately represents the anatomic area of interest, and information is well
visualized for diagnosis. It is important to identify the attributes of a quality radiographic image before
comprehending all the factors that affect its quality. Radiographic images can be acquired from two
different types of image receptors: digital and film-screen. The process of creating the latent image by
differential absorption is the same for both digital and film image receptors, but the acquisition,
processing, and display vary greatly.