Lindsey Shriner

Notebook 7
Contrast- one of the two properties that comprise visibility of detail, along with detail.
-Visibility of detail refers to the fact that the image is visible to our eyes only because
sufficient contrast exists to permit the structural details to be seen.
-Image contrast is the difference between adjacent densities/IR exposures.
-The differences can range from clear white all the way to various shades of gray and
black.
-Dynamic range describes the concept as it is displayed on a soft-copy monitor for digital
images.
-Window width describes the digital processing that produces changes in the range of
brightness and because of this it is appropriate to use when controlling image contrast.
-All of these terms are applied to grayscale bit depth.
-When the adjacent densities have great differences they have high contrast, this means
that they have fewer shades of gray. When the densities differences are minimal it is
described as low contrast and has more shades of gray. In most cases low contrast
provides more information.
-More information is visible because more densities are present, so it forms more
possibilities for contrast differences.
Density- one of the two photographic properties that comprise visibility of detail, along with
contrast.
-Visibility of details means the fact that the image is visible to the human eye only
because of sufficient IR exposure/density (and contrast) exists to permit the structural
details to be perceived.
-When referring to image quality, density was the term that was used to select exposure
to the radiographic film.
-Brightness and density are not interchangeable terms.
-Brightness is a monitor control function that can change the lightness and darkness of
the image on a display monitor but it is not related to IR exposure. The visibility of the
image has always been the result of the proper exposure to the IR.
-The major consideration in assessing density or IR exposure on film is verification that
proper densities are visible throughout the anatomical area of interest on the image.
 Lindsey Shriner

Factors affecting density- there are a wide variety and they are classified as controlling or
influencing. Controlling factors should be used the principal method for adjusting for
insufficient or excessive exposure.
-mAs is a controlling factor because the relationship between mAs and IR exposure is
directly proportional. Density is primarily determined by the amount of exposure the
film receives, and because exposure is directly proportional to mAs, mAs is used
as the primary controller of IR exposure and film density.
-Kilovoltage is an influencing factor and it alters the intensity of the beam reaching the
IR. Kilovoltage controls the energy/strength of the electrons striking the target of the x-
ray tube for any given mAs. It also controls the average energy of the x-ray photons
produced at the anode target. A change in kilovoltage alters the intensity of the beam
when the mAs and other factors remain the same. Changing kilovoltage is the
primary method of changing image contrast.
-Other influencing factors-
-Focal spot
-Anode heel effect
-Distance
-Filtration
-Beam restriction
-Anatomical part
-Grid construction
-Image receptor
Factors affecting contrast- the main factor is kVp.
-kVp is a controlling factor of contrast. As kVp increases, contrast decreases. As kVp
decreases, contrast increases. Increasing kVp increases the amount of radiation fog,
thereby decreasing contrast.
-Influencing factors- are the same as the influencing factors for density except that mAs
is also an influencing factor for contrast.

Density
Digital *Brightness*
-Measurement of the luminance
of a monitor calibrated in units of
candela per square meter on a
monitor or soft copy.
-Density on a hard copy is the
same as film.
Film -Degree of blackening or opacity
of an area in a radiograph due to
the accumulation of black
metallic silver after exposure.
Differences -The density on digital is called
brightness and can be controlled
on the computer by the
radiographer but is still
influenced by techniques.
-Density on film is controlled by
the techniques used to shoot the
image and the amount of black
silver deposited.
-Main factor for both is mAs
Lindsey Shriner
Contrast
-Primary method for adjusting
display contrast with digital
imaging systems is through
window width manipulation.
-Image processing will provide
the proper grayscale, regardless
of kVp and mAs.
-Determined primarily by the
processing algorithm.
-Range of densities that the film
is capable of recording.
-Depends on four factors:
intensifying screens,film density,
the D log E curve, and
processing.
-Intensifying screen create an
inherently higher-contrast image.
-D log E curve
-Film density has an optimal
range of densities/IR exposures
that permits contrast to be
visualized at a maximum.
-Processing factors can cause a
change in base fog and that will
affect contrast.
-Algorithms are the primary
method of contrast control in
digital images.
-Many factors influenced contrast
in film.
-Main factor for both is kVp
 Lindsey Shriner

Changes in density/mAs
Changes in contrast/kVp