Technical Artifacts and Errors

Chapter 11

Artifacts

Anything that decreases the quality of the radiograph resulting in difficult evaluation and interpretation.

Problems with artifacts:– Increases unnecessary re-takes– May cause misdiagnosis

Consistent Artifacts

If artifact is appearing consistently, cassette should be identified and thoroughly cleaned inside and out.

If fault is persistent should be labeled as faulty and put out of use.

Common Artifacts and Causes

Film too Dark– Too much kVp– Too much developer time– Over-measurement– Machine not calibrated– SID not correct for grid use

Artifacts continued

Film too light– Underexposure, need to increase kVp or mAs.– Underdeveloped– X-ray tube failure– Incorrect screen-film combination– Out of calibration

Artifacts Continued

Film gray/Lack of Contrast– Too much kVp– Radiation fog due to exposure film– Light leak in darkroom– Film Storage issues– Exhausted chemical issues– Out of date film– Lack of grid with use of high kVp’s– Double exposure– Too high of wattage in safelight

Artifacts continued

Lack of Detail– Increased object-film distance– Blurring due to poor screen-film contact– Blurring due to patient motion– Blurring due to x-ray tube motion– Distorted image due to central x-ray not directed

at center of film– Double exposure

Artifacts Continued

Heavy Lines on Radiograph– Grid lines due to inappropriate use of grid– Roller marks from processor issues

Inconsistent film density– Collimation of primary beam– Bucky tray not positioned correctly– Light leak into cassette– Target damage

Artifacts continued

Black marks– Crimping or folding of film– Two films sticking together during development– Static Electricity– Developer on film before processing

Artifacts continued

Clear areas on film – Hair in cassette– Scratch in film emulsion– Line de to scratch on screen surface– Air bubble in film– Contrast medium on cassette or table– Film touching side of tank during manual

processing.

Artifacts continued

Yellow Radiograph– Fixer splashes on film before developing– Premature age due to improper fixation– Film sticking together during fixing process– Incomplete washing.

Motion

Double Exposure

Stuff in Cassette

Hands in view

Lead in the Way

Light Artifact

Cassette upside down

Static