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RAD 102: Radiographic Technique > Ch 15-18 > Flashcards

Flashcards in Ch 15-18 Deck (131)
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1
Q

2 factors contributing to Compton scatter

A

kVp (affects beam penetrability)

Volume of irradiated material (FS and patient thickness)

2
Q

3 affects on interactions increasing kVp has

A

Increased transmission
Decreased photoelectric absorption
Increased Compton scatter

3
Q

Interactions that happen in the body when x-rays get absorbed
An interaction between x-rays and matter characterized by an incident electron with slightly greater energy than the binding energy of the electrons in the inner shells, ejecting an electron from the inner shell while being absorbed in the reaction, resulting in an ionized atom

A

Photoelectric absorption

4
Q

3 affects on patient dose increasing kVp has

A

Decreased dose
Decreased photoelectric absorptions because x-rays have more energy to pass through the body
Increase in kVp typically accompanied by reduction in mAs

5
Q

Affects on image quality increasing kVp has

A

Low/longer scale of contrast (many shades of gray)

6
Q

2 affects on interactions decreasing kVp has

A

Decreased transmission and scatter

Increased photoelectric absorption

7
Q

Affect on interactions decreasing kVp has

A

Shorter scale/increase in contrast (black and white)

Don’t have as much penetrating ability so x-rays absorbed

8
Q

What does increasing field size affect?

A

Increases volume tissue irradiated and results in increased scatter and patient dose

9
Q

What does decreasing field size affect?

A

Decreases beam quantity, scatter, and shortens scale of contrast image

10
Q

4 beam restrictors

A

Aperture diaphragm
Cones
Cylinders
Collimators

11
Q

Flat sheet of metal, usually lead, with an opening cut in the center and attached to the x-ray tube port
Simplest of all beam-restricting devices and different diaphragms are needed to accommodate different receptor sizes and distances
Fixed field size

A

Aperture diaphragm

12
Q

Circular aperture diaphragms with metal extensions and has an extension that flares or diverges, with the upper diameter smaller than the bottom flared end
Most effective means of scatter control
Fixed field size

A

Cones

13
Q

Circular aperture diaphragms with metal extensions and has an extension that flares or diverges, with the upper diameter smaller than the bottom that doesn’t flare
Fixed field size

A

Cylinders

14
Q

A set of lead shutters at right angles to one another that move in opposing pairs

A

Collimator

15
Q

Devices tailored for a specific use during a given procedure, designed to restrict the beam to a specific shape for a particular examination
Used to absorb scatter produced by patient
Must check vendor for information for digital systems before using lead blockers or masks

A

Ancillary devices

16
Q

Get rid of off-focus radiation

A

Upper collimators

17
Q

Radiation produced in tube someplace other than the anode

Photons that were not produced at the focal spot; extrafocal radiation

A

Off-focus radiation

18
Q

Uses light reflected off mirror to project coverage of x-ray beam
Proper adjustment of mirror necessary to accurately display location of exposure field
X-ray beam coincide testing should be part of quality control (QC) program
Needs to be accurate within 1/2 inch (2% of SID)

A

Light field

19
Q

Reduce penumbra

A

Bottom shutters

20
Q

Unsharp shadow around the sharp shadow

A geometric unsharpness around the periphery of the image

A

Penumbra

21
Q

An automatic collimator that adjusts to the size and placement of the cassette
Possible to override (can reduce beam to smaller field size than cassette size)

A

Positive Beam Limitation (PBL) devices

22
Q

Adjusts to the size and placement of the cassette

A

Automatic collimator

23
Q

2 ancillary devices

A

Lead blocker

Lead mask

24
Q

A sheet of impregnated rubber that can be cut to any size or shape
Shields

A

Lead blocker

25
Q

Usually cut to correspond to the particular field size desired and is then secured to the end of the collimator

A

Lead mask

26
Q

The reduction in the number of x-ray photons in the beam, and subsequent loss of energy, as the beam passes through matter
Increased part thickness results in increase in this
Result of photoelectric absorption (provides radiologic significant information) and Compton scatter
Dependent on thickness and composition of patient’s tissues

A

Attenuation

27
Q

An interaction between x-rays and matter characterized by an incident x-ray photon interacted with a loosely bound outer-shell electron, resulting in removal of the electron from the shell, which then proceeds in a different direction as a scattered photon
Provides no useful information
Contributes to personnel exposure
The picture on the finished image is never put there by this because it only adds to the exposure the image receptor gets

A

Compton scatter

28
Q

Patient is radiographer’s greatest variable (thickness and pathology)
Composition of human body determines its radiographic appearance

A

The human body as an attenuator

29
Q

4 major substances account for variable attenuation

A

Air
Fat
Muscle
Bone

30
Q

Effective atomic number: 7.78 (greater than fat or muscle)
Lowest tissue density
Absorbs few photons (results in increased area of exposure on image receptor)

A

Air

31
Q

Soft tissue
Effective atomic number and tissue density similar to water
Effective atomic number slightly less than muscle
Tissue density less than muscle

A

Fat

32
Q

Soft tissue

Slightly higher atomic number and tissue density than fat

A

Muscle

33
Q

Calcium among highest atomic number of elements found in body
Greatest tissue density of four basic substances
Absorbs a lot of photons (decreased area of exposure on image receptor)

A

Bone

34
Q

Image receptor exposure will be altered by changes in amount or type of tissue being irradiated
How dense patient is, degree at which different parts of body absorbs
Radiographic density = blackness/variations of gray

A

Subject density

35
Q

Degree of differential absorption resulting from differing absorption characteristics of tissues in body

A

Subject contrast

36
Q

Recorded detail of structures dependent on:
Position within body
Body’s placement in relationship to image receptor
Ex: heart lies anterior in body, want anterior part against IR to get it as true to size as possible
Movement affects detail

A

Subject detail

37
Q

Unless patient is positioned specifically to demonstrate a particular structure, may not be accurately represented on image receptor

A

Subject distortion

38
Q

Radiographer’s 4 responsibilities

A

Read requisition
Take accurate patient history
Observe patient closely
Adjust technical factors when necessary

39
Q

Increase tissue thickness, effective atomic number, and/or tissue density (increase attenuation
Inversely related to image receptor exposure)
Require increase in technical factors to properly expose image receptor
Thicker, denser part requires more penetration
General compensation: increase in kVp

A

Additive conditions

40
Q

2 increased attenuation (additive) conditions in multiple systems

A

Abscess
Edema
Tumors

41
Q

11 increased attenuation (additive) conditions in the chest

A
Atelectasis
Bronchiectasis
Cardiomegaly
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Empyema
Pleural effusions (hemothorax and hydrothorax)
Pneumoconiosis
Pneumonia (pneumonitis)
Pneumonectomy
Pulmonary edema
Tuberculosis (advanced and miliary)
42
Q

4 increased attenuation (additive) conditions in the abdomen

A

Aortic aneurysm
Ascites
Cirrhosis
Calcified stones

43
Q

7 increased attenuation (additive) conditions in the extremities and skull

A
Acromegaly
Chronic osteomyelitis
Hydrocephalus
Osteoblastic metastases
Osteochondroma
Paget’s disease
Sclerosis
44
Q

Decrease tissue thickness, effective atomic number, and/or tissue density (decrease attenuation)
Directly related to image receptor exposure
Require decrease in technical factors to properly expose image receptor
General compensation: decrease mAs

A

Destructive conditions

45
Q

3 decreased attenuation (destructive) conditions in multiple systems

A

Anorexia nervosa
Atrophy
Emaciation

46
Q

2 decreased attenuation (destructive) conditions in the chest

A

Emphysema

Pneumothorax

47
Q

2 decreased attenuation (destructive) conditions in the abdomen

A

Aerophagia

Bowel obstruction

48
Q

11 decreased attenuation (destructive) conditions in the extremities and skull

A
Active osteomyelitis
Aseptic necrosis
Carcinoma
Degenerative arthritis
Fibrosarcoma
Gout
Hyperparathyroidism
Multiple myeloma
Osteolytic metastases
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
49
Q

An encapsulated infection increases tissue thickness and may alter composition, particularly in lungs; additive

A

Abscess

50
Q

Swelling causes an increase in tissue thickness and may alter composition if it occurs in the lungs, additive

A

Edema

51
Q

An abnormal growth in tissue results in an increase in tissue thickness and may alter composition, particularly in the lungs or bones or when calcification results; additive

A

Tumor

52
Q

The chronic dilatation of the bronchi can result in peribronchial thickening and small areas of atelectasis causing an increase in lung tissue density, additive

A

Bronchiectasis

53
Q

An enlargement of the heart causes an increase in thickness of the part, additive

A

Cardiomegaly

54
Q

When the heart is in failure, the cardiac output is diminished resulting in backward failure or increased venous congestion in the lungs; lung tissue density is increased and the heart is enlarged as well, additive

A

Congestive Heart Failure

55
Q

Pus in the thoracic cavity causes an increase in tissue density, additive

A

Empyema

56
Q

When the pleural cavity fills with either blood or serous fluid, it displaces normal lung tissue resulting in an increased tissue density within the thoracic cavity; additive

A

Pleural effusions (hemothorax and hydrothorax)

57
Q

The inhalation of dust particles can cause fibrotic (scarring) changes; when healthy lung tissue becomes fibrotic the density of the tissue increases, additive

A

Pneumoconiosis

58
Q

The removal of a lung will cause the affected side to demonstrate an increase in density because normal air-filled lung tissue is removed, additive

A

Pneumonectomy

59
Q

Inflammation of the lung tissues causes fluid filled in the alveolar spaces, fluid has much greater tissue density than the air normally present; additive

A

Pneumonia (pneumonitis)

60
Q

When fluid fills the interstitial lung tissues and the alveoli, tissue density increases; this is a typical complication of congestive heart failure, additive

A

Pulmonary edema

61
Q

An infection by mycobacteria causes the inflammatory response, which results in an increase in fluid in the lungs
If the mycobacteria were inhaled, it begins as a localized lesion (usually upper lobes), which can spread to a more advanced stage
If the infection reaches the lungs by the bloodstream, it has a more diffuse spread (miliary)
Increased tissue density results in both advanced and miliary, additive

A

Tuberculosis (advanced and miliary)

62
Q

A large dilation of the aorta will result in increased thickness of the affected part, additive

A

Aortic aneurysm

63
Q

Fluid accumulation within the peritoneal cavity causes an increase in tissue thickness; the free fluid has a unique “ground glass” appearance radiographically, additive

A

Ascites

64
Q

Most commonly found throughout the abdomen in such organs as the gallbladder and kidney
Calcium may be deposited which causes an increase in the effective atomic number of the tissue, additive

A

Calcified stones

65
Q

Fibrotic changes in the liver cause the liver to enlarge and ascites can result resulting in an increase in the thickness of the liver and the entire abdomen, additive

A

Cirrhosis

66
Q

An overgrowth of the hands, feet, face and jaw as a result of hypersecretion of growth hormones in the adult will result in an increase in bone mass; additive

A

Acromegaly

67
Q

A chronic bone infection results in new bone growth at the infected site, additive

A

Chronic osteomyelitis

68
Q

A dilation of the fluid-filled cerebral ventricles causes an enlargement of the head resulting in an increased thickness, additive

A

Hydrocephalus

69
Q

The spread of cancer to bone can result in uncontrolled new bone growth, additive

A

Osteoblastic metastases

70
Q

A tumor arising in the bone and cartilage will result in an increased thickness of the bone, additive

A

Osteochondroma

71
Q

An increase occurs in bone cell activity, which leads to new bone growth resulting in increased bone thickness with the pelvis, spine and skull most often affected; additive

A

Paget’s disease (osteitis deformans)

72
Q

An increase in hardening as a result of chronic inflammation in bone increasing the density of the bone tissue, additive

A

Sclerosis

73
Q

A psychological eating disorder that results in extreme weight loss, overall body thickness is reduced; destructive

A

Anorexia nervosa

74
Q

A wasting away of body tissue, destructive

A

Atrophy/emaciation

75
Q

The overdistension of the lung tissues by air will result in a decrease in lung tissue density, destructive

A

Emphysema

76
Q

Free air in the pleural cavity displaces normal lung tissue and results in decreased density within the thoracic cavity, destructive

A

Pneumothorax

77
Q

A psychological disorder resulting in abnormal swallowing of air; the stomach becomes dilated from the air and overall tissue density decreases, destructive

A

Aerophagia

78
Q

An obstruction in the bowel results in the abnormal accumulation of air and fluid
If a large amount of air is trapped in the bowel, the overall density of the tissues is decreased; destructive

A

Bowel obstruction

79
Q

With a bone infection there is initially a loss of bone tissue (containing calcium) resulting in a decrease in the thickness and composition of the part, destructive

A

Active osteomyelitis

80
Q

Death of bone tissue results in a decrease in composition and thickness of the part, destructive

A

Aseptic necrosis

81
Q

Malignancies in bone can cause an osteolytic process resulting in decreased thickness and composition of the part, destructive

A

Carcinoma

82
Q

Inflammation of the joints results in a destruction of adjoining bone tissue which decreases the composition of the part, destructive

A

Degenerative arthritis

83
Q

This malignant tumor of the metaphysis of bone causes an osteolytic lesion with a “moth-eaten” appearance resulting in reduced bone composition, destructive

A

Fibrosarcoma

84
Q

During the chronic stages of this metabolic disease, areas of bone destruction result in punched-out lesions that reduce the bone composition; destructive

A

Gout

85
Q

Oversecretion of the parathyroid hormone causes calcium to leave bone and enter the bloodstream; the bone becomes demineralized and composition is decreased, destructive

A

Hyperparathyroidism

86
Q

This malignant tumor arises from plasma cells of bone marrow and causes punched-out osteolytic areas on the bone; often many sites are affected and reduced bone tissue composition results, destructive

A

Multiple myeloma

87
Q

When some malignancies spread to bone they produce destruction of the bone resulting in reduced composition, destructive

A

Osteolytic metastases

88
Q

A defect in bone mineralization results in decreased composition of the affected bone, destructive

A

Osteomalacia

89
Q

A defect in bone production due to the failure of osteoblasts to lay down bone matrix results in decreased composition of the affected bone, destructive

A

Osteoporosis

90
Q

Device used to improve contrast of the radiographic image
Absorbs scattered radiation before it reaches image receptor
Allow primary radiation to reach image receptor
Primary disadvantage of use: lines on film

A

Grid

91
Q

Responsible for dark areas

A

Transmission

92
Q

Responsible for light areas

A

Absorption

93
Q

Creates fog and lowers contrast

The interaction of x-ray photons and matter that causes a change in direction of the photons

A

Scatter

94
Q

Scatter increases as…(4)

A

kVp increases
Field size increases
Thickness of part increases
Atomic number decreases

95
Q

2 indications for grid use

A

Part thickness greater than 10 cm

kVp greater than 60

96
Q

Radiopaque lead strips (x-rays can’t get through them)
Separated by radiolucent (x-rays can get through) interspace material (typically aluminum because it’s cheap and has higher atomic number which will absorb scatter)

A

Basic grid construction

97
Q

Who created grids?

A

Dr. Gustav Bucky (1913) - crosshatched design

98
Q

2 improvements Dr. Hollis Potter made to use of grids

A

Realigned lead strips to run in one direction
Moved grid during exposure to make lines invisible on image
Potter-Bucky Diaphragm

99
Q

Height of radiopaque strips

A

h in grid dimensions

100
Q

Distance between strips/thickness of interspace material

A

D in grid dimensions

101
Q

Height of lead strips divided by thickness of interspacing material, always to 1
The ratio of the height of the lead strips to the distance between the strips
Higher one more efficient in removing scatter because there’s more lead content and less angle for scatter to get to IR
Lower ones allow more angled x-rays to get to IR
Typical range = 5:1 to 16:1

A

Grid ratio

102
Q

Grid ratio formula

A

G=h/D

103
Q

Why don’t we usually use 16:1 grid ratio?

A

Don’t use 16:1 becaure they’re very picky; have to adjust everything just right or you’ll have grid cutoff

104
Q

Number of lead strips per inch or centimeter
Range: 60-200 lines/in and 25-80 lines/cm
Typically, higher ones have thinner lead strips
Less lead strips are less frequent so they need to be thicker because keeping same ratio absorbs the same amount of radiation

A

Grid frequency

105
Q

Very high-frequency grids: 78-200 lines/in and 70-80 lines/cm
Recommended for use with digital systems (minimizes grid line appearance)

A

Digital imaging systems

106
Q

Most important factor in grid’s efficiency
Measured in mass per unit area: g/cm2
High ratio, low frequency grids tend to have highest lead content bc strips are thicker
Greater in grid with high ratio and low frequency
As this increases, removal of scatter increases therefore contrast increases (black and white)

A

Lead content

107
Q

2 grid patterns

A

Criss-cross or cross-hatched

Linear

108
Q

Has horizontal and vertical lead strips
Primary beam must be centered perpendicular to grid
Grid must remain flat (can’t angle tube)
Two linear grids placed on top of one another so that the lead strips form a criss-cross pattern

A

Criss-cross or cross-hatched grid

109
Q

A grid with lead strips running in only one direction
Allows primary beam to be angled along directions that lines are running
In typical x-ray table, strips run along long axis of table
Allows for angling tube toward head or feet of patient

A

Linear grid

110
Q

Grid lines run across short axis of grid
Useful for portable chest procedures when cassette place crosswise
Decreased chance of grid cut-off

A

Short-axis grid

111
Q

2 types of linear grids

A

Focused

Parallel

112
Q

Lead strips angled to match divergence of beam
Primary beam will align with interspace material
Scatter absorbed by lead strips
Convergence line (anode) goes with this
A grid created with the central grid strips parallel with the strips and becoming more inclined as they move away from the central axis; the lines would intersect along a point in space called the point of convergence
Narrow positioning latitude

A

Focused linear grid

113
Q

Area between convergence line and lead strips

A

Grid radius

114
Q

All lead strips parallel to one another, lines never intersect
Absorb large amount of primary beam resulting in some cut-off

A

Parallel linear grids

115
Q

Grids that can be attached to cassette for use

Grid cassettes

A

Stationary grids

116
Q

Motor drives grid back and forth during exposure

A

Reciprocating

117
Q

2 types of grid movement

A

Reciprocating

Oscillating

118
Q

Electromagnet pulls grid to one side

Releases it during exposure and spins

A

Oscillating

119
Q

Grid conversion factor

Required increase in technique can be calculated

A

mAs1/mAs2 = GCF1/GCF2

120
Q

2 criteria International Commission on Radiologic Units and Measurements (ICRU) evaluates grid performance by

A

Selectivity

Contrast improvement ability

121
Q

Describes grid’s ability to allow primary radiation to reach image receptor and prevent scatter to see how well grid determines what is scatter and what is primary
Grids designed to absorb scatter and sometimes absorb primary radiation
Highly selective grids better at removing scattered radiation
High lead content grids more selective
Selective = % of primary rad transmitted/% scatter

A

Selectivity

122
Q

“K” factor (contrast improvement)
Compares radiographic contrast of image with grid to radiographic contrast of image without grid
Typically ranges between 1.5–3.5
K= radiographic contrast with the grid / radiographi

A

Contrast improvement ability

123
Q

Proper alignment between x-ray tube and grid (very important)
Improper alignment results in cut-off

A

Grid errors

124
Q

5 grid errors

A
Off-level
Off-center
Off-focus
Upside-down
Moire effect
125
Q

Occurs when the tube is angled across the long axis of the grid strips
When this error occurs there is an undesirable absorption of primary radiation, which results in a radiograph with a decrease in exposure across the entire image

A

Off-level

126
Q

The result of the primary beam being angled into the lead strips

A

Grid cut-off

127
Q

X-ray tube not centered along the central axis of focused grid resulting in a decrease in exposure across the entire image

A

Off-center

128
Q

A grid is used at a distance other than that specified as the focal range
Results in grid cut-off along the peripheral edges of the image

A

Off-focus

129
Q

A focused grid has an identified tube side based on the way the grid strips are angled
If the grid is used wrong side up, severe peripheral grid-cutoff will occur
Radiation will pass through the grid along the central axis where the grid strips are most perpendicular and radiation will be increasingly absorbed away from the center

A

Upside-down

130
Q

See grid lines on image
Digital systems: grid lines parallel to scan lines
Can be prevented by high-frequency grids

A

Moire effect

131
Q

Alternative to low ratio grid use
10” air gap has similar clean-up of 15:1 grid
Increase OID, scatter produced from body has area in middle where it can go out and off IR = less scatter

A

The air-gap technique