NOTE BOOK # 8

Detail & Distortion

Detail- This shows the finite amount of information on an image. Shows
all the data even the smallest part, allowing for proper diagnosis.
Recorded detail is the geometric property that controls detail itself.
Distortion- The misrepresentation of the size or shape of the structures
being examine
Spatial Resolution- The recorded detail on an image, which is decided by
the matrix size, pixel size, and grayscale bit depth.
Modulation transfer function- measures the accuracy of an image
compared to the original object.
Imaging noise- background information that the receptor receives.
Quantum noise is one of the types which is caused by a lack of photons for
processing. This creates quantum mottle on the image which is shown as
graininess.
Detail
Recorded detail has many different factors that a play a role in controlling it.
Unfortunately, recorded detail is often improved through these factors which
increase patient dose. Geometry of the beam is also one of the most important
factors when it comes to resolution for recorded detail. The further the photons
move from their source, the further they will diverge. The 2 things that go with the
geometry are the distance and the focal spot.

Distance- the SID and OID both play a critical role in determining recorded
detail. Resolution is improved when the SID increases and is degraded when
the SID is decreased. Minimum OID should be used always. OID can also be
minimized by considering the distance between the surface supporting the
part and the image receptor. Positioning is also critical when considering the
OID. The correct position can improve the recorded detail immensely.
Focal spot size- this is controlled by the line focus principle. The umbra is
the distinctly sharp area of the shadow or the region of complete shadow. The
penumbra is imperfect unsharp shadow surrounding the umbra. It is also
referred to as the edge gradient. The focal spot size controls the penumbra.
As the focal spot decreases in size the penumbra also decreases, which will
increase resolution. Penumbra=focal spot size * OID/SOD. Penumbra is also
increased by other factors called attenuation and absorption unsharpness.
Image Receptor

Film/Screen- these are most commonly classified by speed. There is an

inverse relationship between the film combination speed and resolution. A
slow film/screen will demonstrate better resolution than a fast one. What the
intensifying screen is made up of also influences the detail. Phosphor size
within the screen will affect the resolution. As the phosphor gets bigger,
resolution decreases and vice versa. Layer thickness, as it increases
resolution decreases. Lastly the phosphor concentration will affect resolution.
 NOTE BOOK # 8

As the concentration becomes denser the resolution will increase. CR & CCD
digital systems operate similarly to film/ screen. They are also dependent
on the factors that film/screen are for detail.
Flat Panel Digital- the primary factors affecting the detail in digital are the
geometric properties and the processing system. The major factor that limits
TFT is the size of the detector element. The image processing system also
sets a limit on recorded detail. The spatial resolution is dependent on the
matrix size, pixel pitch, and gray scale but depth. Digital has a graph of
representation. This graph includes a X, Y, and Z axis.
Motion
Motion affects recorded detail because it fails to permit enough time for a well-
defined image to form. This can cause the image to blur, decreasing fine detail.

Voluntary- this is motion that can be controlled by the patient.

Communication is the key in reducing this kind of motion. When the
radiographer communicates efficiently it allows the patient to understand
what needs to be done, and hopefully minimizes motion. Immobilization can
also be used in extreme cases.
Involuntary- this is motion that cannot be controlled by patient. Examples
are heartbeat and peristalsis. The amount of time the exposure is made can
be decreased which will help reduce the amount of motion.
Equipment motion- this is often overlooked but can happen. Whether its
the tube system, or Bucky tray it can cause vibration or tilting allowing it to
decrease resolution.
Distortion
Distortion is when the object being radiographed is misrepresented. There are two
types of distortion, which are size and shape distortion.

Size Distortion- Magnification is the only possible size distortion in

radiography. SID and OID are the controlling factors of magnification. IN all
instances, reduced magnification size distortion increases the resolution of
recorded detail. This can be beneficial when needing to visualize a small body
parts detail. This is controlled by body positioning and maximizing the SID
while minimizing the OID. The greater the SID the smaller the magnification,
because as SID increases the OID decreases. The main down fall to increased
SID is that the mAs needs to be increased as well, which increases the patient
dose. OID is critical when dealing with magnification and resolution. As OID
increases the magnification increases. The other actor that needs to be
acknowledged is the patient size. The larger the size of the part the more
distortion there will be. Overall Size distortion will end up taking away
resolution on the image. There is a mathematical way to calculate size
distortion. Magnification Factor=SID/SOD also a formula to calculate the
O=object size O=I/M
Shape Distortion- There are two types of shape distortion. They are
elongating which is projects the object so that it appears longer than it is, and
 NOTE BOOK # 8

foreshortening, which projects the object to be shorter than it is. Shape

distortion often occurs because structures lie normally at different levels
within the body. Divergence of the beam also affects shape distortion. The
distortion will vary depending on the angle between the object and the
divergence of the beam.
-Alignment: The proper position is achieved when the CR is directed at a right
angle to the anatomical part. Meaning the IR and body part are parallel with
each other. The CR and IR should be perpendicular to each other always,
otherwise some degree of distortion will occur. Also, need to be sure the CR is
entering the middle of IR always otherwise it can cause distortion of the body
part.
-Angulation: The angulation of the tube is designed to control the amount of
shape distortion to avoid superimposition. One thing to remember when
using an angle, that the SID will change, and needs to be compensated
otherwise it will cause a decrease in image receptor exposure. Longitudinal
angulations are most often used and usually include cephalad which is toward
the head of the patient. Caudal is angled toward the feet.
Focal Spot Motion

Elongation Foreshortening
Magnification
 NOTE BOOK # 8

Citations

https://www.google.com/search?
q=recorded+detail+film+screen+vs+digital&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=is
ch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik157-
 NOTE BOOK # 8

88zSAhVK94MKHTATAgUQ_AUIBigB&biw=1920&bih=950#tbm=isch&q=Mag
nification+on+an+x-ray+&*&imgrc=3oRAh28xnBBsIM:
https://www.google.com/search?
q=recorded+detail+film+screen+vs+digital&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=is
ch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik157-
88zSAhVK94MKHTATAgUQ_AUIBigB&biw=1920&bih=950#tbm=isch&q=elon
gation++x-ray+&*&imgrc=Uutn6_HuDufLCM:
https://www.google.com/url?
sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahU
KEwj21seN98zSAhWb0YMKHcV1DuAQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fradiologykey.com%2Fimage-acquisition-and-evaluation
%2F&bvm=bv.149397726,bs.2,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNHn1b-tfoKX7uC0C-
4bQbAYYw_1rw&ust=1489269419717453
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KEwj2naGT98zSAhUG04MKHXb9ANIQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fradiologykey.com%2Fpreliminary-steps-in-radiography
%2F&bvm=bv.149397726,bs.2,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNHn1b-tfoKX7uC0C-
4bQbAYYw_1rw&ust=1489269419717453
https://www.google.com/url?
sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahU
KEwjtob-098zSAhWH3oMKHYY7COMQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fqims.amegroups.com%2Farticle%2Fview
%2F8235%2F9864&bvm=bv.149397726,bs.2,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNHA4e1yAF
rftSdzQzljXAWqHKBSrw&ust=1489269506873559