Image Quality

Question 1

Thoracic view:
1. Standard to include…
2. Goal
3. Center

Answer 1

1. Standard to include:
   - Thoracic inlet to the last rib (or 6th rib)
2. Goal:
   - Assess the lung fields
   - Tech should allow visualization of major blood vessels and airways to the lungs
3. Center:
   - Over the heart

Question 2

Abdominal view:
1. Standard to include…
2. Goal
3. Center

Answer 2

1. Standard to include:
   - Diaphragm to guarantee all of the liver in view and include pelvic canal/hip joint to visualize bladder and colon when possible
2. Goal:
   - Ask DVM!
3. Center over 13th rib

Question 3

What does a “Met Check” include?

Answer 3

Includes both lateral and a VD view of the thorax

Question 4

Pelvis Lateral:
1. Standard to…
2. Goal
3. Center

Answer 4

1. Standard to ask DVM if legs should be scissored or superimposed
2. Goal:
   - Include all pelvis and proximal 1/3 of femur
3. Center:
   - Point of the femur

Question 5

Limbs:
1. Standard to include…
2. Goal
3. Center

Question 6

What is LEGALLY needed on a radiograph label? (4)

Answer 6

1. Owners name
2. Animals name
3. Clinic name or DVM
4. Exam date

Question 7

What does not need to be on a radiograph image but is beneficial? (6)

Answer 7

1. Signalment
2. Region imaged
3. Tech initials/name
4. View labels (R, L, DV, CrCd)
5. Limb labels
6. Time clocks/image #

Question 8

What are three goals when it comes to positioning for standard views?

Answer 8

1. Area of interest directly in center of primary beam, this minimizes size/shape distortion
2. Area of interest parallel to cassette/table and perpendicular to beam, this minimizes distortion
3. Area of interest touching cassette/table, this minimizes magnification and increases details

Question 9

Lateral view GOALS (3)

Answer 9

1. All chest structures should be parallel to the table. You may need a sternal wedge
   - Ribs should superimpose each other. Thoracic vertebrae should appear to have one rib head
   - Transverse processes of vertebrae are super imposed
2. Take at peak inspiration
   - Space between heart and diaphragm
3. Structures of shoulder should not overly the lung and heart

Question 10

DV or VD GOALS (2)

Answer 10

1. Structures within the chest should be parallel to table
   - Sternum and spine should superimpose
   - Dorsal spinous processes align, centered over vertebral bodies
   - Structures of shoulders shouldn’t overly lungs
2. Peak inspiration
   - Space between heart and diaphragm

Question 11

Resolution problems: Non-digital related errors (6)

Answer 11

1. Motion of patient
2. Fog due to scatter
3. Noise due to overexposure
4. Drop out due to overexposure
5. Double exposures
6. Gird cut off/improper use of grid

Question 12

An image that is too dark is:
a. Overexposed
b. Underexposed

Answer 12

Overexposed

Question 13

An image that is too light is:
a. Overexposed
b. Underexposed

Answer 13

Underexposed

Question 14

Resolution problems: Digital artifacts (5)

Answer 14

1. Look-up table/image processing errors
2. Exposure artifacts
3. CR & DR artifacts
4. Interference artifacts
5. Display artifacts

Question 15

T/F: mAs is how many photons are being thrown to the image

Answer 15

True

Question 16

T/F: kVp is how “fast” the photons are being thrown

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Exposure artifact:
What can extreme levels of exposure result in?

Answer 17

Very high levels of exposure can result in saturation
- Max detector response is reached
- No response to increased dose
- Uniformly dark portions or anatomy disappear in a “band”
- Cannot be windowed or levelled

Question 18

ALARA meaning

Answer 18

As Low As Reasonably Achieved principle

Question 19

Dynamic Range (3)

Answer 19

1. Underexposure to the IP (image processer) results in an increases in Quantum mottle or noise.
2. It is the responsibility of the radiographer to choose the best technique
   suitable for producing an optimal image.
3. A.L.A.R.A principle. (As low as reasonably achievable)

Question 20

Exposure indicators (EI) at BTC lab
1. Konica system uses…
2. ‘0’ represents extreme ___ exposure while ‘2000’ is ____ exposure
3. Optimal range is ____ with ___ being too dark and ___ being too light
4. Ideal exposure is ____

Answer 20

1. Uses inversely proportional number system from 0 to 2000
2. over exposure; no detectable exposure
3. Optimal is 200-400. 200 being too dark and 400 too light
4. Ideal exposure is 200

Question 21

T/F: In digital changing the mAs will have little effect on the image quality

Answer 21

False. The mAs will have the GREATEST effect on image quality.

You must double the mAs or reduce by half for significant effects

Question 22

Brightness controls…
Contrast controls…

Answer 22

1. How light or dark the image is
2. How many shades of gray are in the image