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OBJECTIVES
Define radiographic contrast Factors that affect radiographic contrast Factors that affect film contrast Factors that affect subject contrast Effect of fog on image contrast Technical factors changes necessary to achieve optimal contrast Assess radiographic contrast on various radiographic images Recommend appropriate adjustments to improve contrast under various conditions
ASSESSING CONTRAST
It is one of the two photographic properties that comprise visibility of detail It is defined as the difference between adjacent densities
DESCRIBING CONTRAST
High Contrast - Few shades of gray - Increased contrast - Low kVp - Short scale contrast Low contrast - Many shades of gray - Decreased contrast - High kVp - Long scale contrast
RADIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST
It is the total amount of contrast acquired from both the anatomical part (subject) and the image receptor (film)
Intensifying screens
It create an inherently higher contrast image It is related to the way in which the film responds to the x-ray photons The D log E curve changes dramatically when a film designed for exposure by light is exposed directly to x-rays Changing screen speed has a negligible effect on contrast
Film Density
Film contrast changes changes in film density with There is an optimal range of densities that permits contrast to be visualized at a maximum If the film exposed correctly, the film densities will fall within visible range of the D log E curve If the exposure places the developed densities on the toe or shoulder, the slope is not as steep, resulting in a decrease in contrast
D log E Curve
The primary determinant of the shape of the D log E curve is the physical composition of the film emulsion As the slope of the curve becomes steeper, contrast is increased Film A is a high contrast, narrow latitude film while film B is a low contrast, wide latitude film
Processing
Developer temperature and immersion time, replenishment rate, and developer contamination are the primary processing factors that cause objectionable fog levels As these factors increases, the amount of fog on the film increases and the contrast decreases
SUBJECT CONTRAST
It is the range of differences in the intensity of the x-ray beam after it has been attenuated by the subject It depends on kVp and the thickness and type of irradiated material
Kilovoltage
It is the primary controller of subject contrast High kVp, more penetration, more scatter radiation, wider range of densities, long scale contrast (low contrast) Low kVp , less penetration, less scatter radiation, short range of densities, produce high subject contrast (short scale contrast)
EVALUATING CONTRAST
The major consideration in evaluating visible contrast is verification that a proper range of densities are visible throughout the anatomical area of interest on the radiograph Densities must be within the range of human visibility (OD 0.25-2.50) Proper contrast is not the same for all tissues. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathology and technical factors, is critical for proper contrast evaluation 30% density difference has been used as the minimum change to cause a visible difference. 15% in other people
SUMMARY