Shared Flashcard Set

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Radiology
Grids
95
Medical
Undergraduate 1
02/12/2008

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Cards

Term
_________ is one of the most important characteristics of image quality
Definition
Contrast
Term
What is Contrast?
Definition
Areas of light, dark, shades of gray, making up image
Term
What is density?
Definition
Amount of blackness on film
Term
What is contrast resolution?
Definition
Ability to image adjacent similar tissues
Term
What is noise?
Definition
Grainy appearance due to insufficient number of x-rays of primary beam
Term
Name two devices that control scatter
Definition

Beam-restricting devices and grids

Term
List the various factors that influence scatter
Definition
Kvp, field size, patient thickness
Term
Why does lowering kVp reduce scatter and what disadvantage is associated with this decrease?
Definition
Enhanced differential absorption, increased patient dose
Term
________ is one of the most important characteristics of film quality, and why
Definition
 Contrast; It's the ability to image and distinguish soft tissue
Term
Define contrast Resolution
Definition
Ability to image adjacent similar tissues
Term
What is OD
Definition
Optical Density
Term
What would happen if a radiograph was taken with only scatter radiation, how would this affect contrast and why?
Definition
Image would be dull gray, contrast low
Term
The more scattered x-rays, the ____ contrast
Definition
less
Term
What is a grid?
Definition
An extremely effective device for reducing level of scatter radiation reaching IR
Term
The two parts of a grid are
Definition
Grid strips, interspace material
Term
Who was Gustave Bucky?
Definition
Introduced grid in 1913
Term
A grid transmits only those x-rays that
Definition
are in a straight line from source to IR
Term
In theory, what happens to scattered x-rays when in contact with a grid?
Definition
They are absorbed and don't reach IR
Term
What does Clean up mean?
Definition
x-ray absorption by grid
Term
What happens to scattered x-rays that interact with a grid?  What about primary x-rays?
Definition
They are absorbed; primary beam x-rays incident on interspace material are transmitted to IR.  Scattered x-rays may or may not be absorbed due to angle and grid characteristics
Term
What does the text mean by scatter absorption depends on the angle?
Definition
If angle of scattered x-ray great enough to intersect grid strips, it will be absorbed.  Too slight, x-ray goes to IR
Term
High quality grids can absorb ____% of scatter radiation
Definition
80-90
Term
The term used to describe a grid with high absorption is?
Definition
said to have good Clean Up
Term
The three aspects of grid construction are?
Definition
thickness of grid strip, width of interspace material, height of grid
Term
Grid ratio can be defined as
Definition
height of grid divided by interspace width
Term
What is the formula used to determine grid ratio?
Definition
Grid ratio = H/D
Term
The higher the grid ratio the ____ effective the clean up and why?
Definition
increased; angle of scatter allowed by high-ratio grids is less than permitted by low
Term
What is the trade off when using a higher grid ratio?
Definition
More difficult to manufacture, increased Radiation exposure
Term
Define grid frequency
Definition
Number of grid strips of grid lines per inch or cm
Term
A grid with ____ frequency shows more grid line
Definition
low
Term
The higher the frequency, the thicker/thinner the strips
Definition
thinner
Term
What happens to patient exposure with increased grid frequency?
Definition
increased radiation exposure
Term
What two things happen when the width of the strips are reduced?
Definition
Reduces grid ratio, reduces patient dose
Term
Most grids have frequencies in the range of?
Definition
25-45 lines per cm (60-100 lines per inch)
Term
The grids used in mammography are?
Definition
80 lines per cm (200 lines per inch)
Term
_____ is the most commonly used material as grid strips (why?)
Definition
Lead; easy to shape, relatively inexpensive
Term
What other materials have been used and how effective are they?
Definition
Tungsten, platinum, gold, uranium, not effective
Term
What is the purpose of the interspace material and what are they made of?
Definition
Maintain precise separation between lead strips. Aluminum, plastic fiber
Term

List the advantages and disadvantages of the two interspace materials

Definition

Aluminum has high atomic number, helps absorb scatter, less visible grid lines...increases absorption of primary beam, increase mas so increase patient dose

 

Fiber absorbs moisture, can become warped, hard to get precise thickness

Term
What material is used to encase grid and what does it provide?
Definition
Thin cover of aluminum, rigidity of grid, helps seal out moisture
Term
What is the principal function of a grid?
Definition
Improve image contrast
Term
Describe Contrast improvement factor (CIF)
Definition
Ability of grid to improve radiographic contrast.
Term
How much improvement would be gained by a CIF by 1, 1.5 or 2.5?
Definition
1- no improvement, 1.5-2.5 = approximately doubled
Term
What factors contribute to CIF?
Definition
Grid ratio, lead content
Term
What does Bucky Factor (BF) mean?  Who is it named after?
Definition
Amount of increase in dose needed to make up for grid; Gustave Bucky
Term

What generalization can be made by higher grid ratio compared to lower grid ratio?

Definition
Higher grid ratio, higher bucky factor
Term
What generalization can be made by increasing kVp (as far as BF)
Definition
Increase kVp, increase BF
Term
What happens to patient dose with an increase in BF?
Definition
Patient dose increases
Term
Define selectivity
Definition
Ratio of transmitted primary radiation to transmitted scatter radiation
Term
How is it possible that two different grids can have the same ratio but have different selectivity?
Definition
Total lead content in grid has primary influence on selectivity
Term
List the three grid characteristics
Definition

1. High ratio grids, high constrast improvement.

2. High frequency, low contrast improvement.

3. Heavy grids, increase selectivity, increase contrast

Term
How does a tech select a grid?
Definition
Based on ratio
Term
Why would an engineer or physicist choose grids for a different reason?
Definition
In order to set up for a radiological suite or procedure
Term
List the three grid types by name
Definition
Parallel, crossed, focused
Term
Which type of grid is the smallest?
Definition
Parallel
Term
What is grid cut off?
Definition
Undesirable absorption of primary x-rays by grid
Term
Grid cut off can be ____ or ____
Definition
partial, complete
Term
When is parallel grid cutoff most pronounced
Definition
With short SID or large IR
Term
What is the difference between parallel grids and crossed grids?
Definition
Parallel grids only clean up scatter along axis
Term
How are crossed grids designed?
Definition
have lead strips running parallel to both long and short axes of grid
Term
True or false: linear grids are more efficient than crossed grids
Definition
False
Term
What are the advantages and disadvantages of crossed grids?
Definition
more efficient for clean up, high contrast improvement; high grid cut off, positioning grid crucial
Term
How are focused grids designed?
Definition
To minimize grid cut off.  Lead strips lie on imaginary radial lines of circle at focal spot
Term
True or false. Focused grids are easier to manufacture
Definition
False
Term
True or false. Both focues and unfocused have problems with grid cut off, even if they are used properly.
Definition
False
Term
What does the author mean when he states focused grids must be used with care because of their geometric limitations?
Definition
Grid strips are parallel to primary x-ray path.  Must coincide with divergence of x-ray beam
Term
What are grid lines?  Is it always true that a 5:1 grid would demonstrate more grid lines than a 12:1?
Definition
Images made when primary x-rays are absorbed in the grid strips.  No, visibility of grid lines directly related to width of grid strips.
Term
Who is Hollis Potter?  What name is now used for the device he developed?
Definition
Moving grid
Term
What are the two types of moving grids and describe how each works
Definition

Reciprocating-motor driven, moves back and forth several times.

 

 

Oscillating-spring devices hold grid, electromagnet pulls grid, oscillates in circular fashion

Term
What are the main differences between the two types of moving grids?
Definition
Pattern of motion
Term
What can occur if moving grids aren't designed properly?
Definition
Can produce stroboscopic effect due to synchronization between x-ray pulsation and grid movement.  Pronounced grid lines appear
Term
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of moving grids vs. stationary grids
Definition
Min. exposure time increased with moving grid.  Moving grid blur undetectable.  Require bulky mechanism.  Increase OID, Increase magnification
Term
Describe the places grids are mounted
Definition
Moving mechanism below tabletop or behind chest board
Term
What will happen if the grids are installed incorrectly?
Definition
Grid lines will appear on radiograph
Term
What is the most frequent error in grid usage?  How must it be positioned to assure proper usage?
Definition
Improper positioning.  Must be precisely positioned relative to x-ray tube target and CR of beam
Term
What are the different grid problems?
Definition

Off-level Grid

Off Center

Off focus

Upside down

Term
What is off level grid?
Definition
Improperly positioned radiographic tube and not improperly positioned grid
Term
What is off center grid?
Definition
CR is shifted laterally on grid, results in lower OD due to grid cut off
Term
What is off focus grid?
Definition
radiographs taken at wrong SID, farther grid from distance, more severe cutoff
Term
What is upside down grid?
Definition
A radiograph with uspide down focused grid shows severe grid cutoff on either side of CR
Term
True or false.  Stationary grids continue to be a problem.  Defend your choice
Definition
False; well manufactured.  Radiologists can still diagnose. 
Term
____ grids are generally less superior than ____ grids...
Definition
Parallel;focused
Term
What three factors must be considered when selecting a grid?
Definition

kvp

degree of cleanup

patient dose

Term
As grid ratio _____ the amount of cleanup_____
Definition
increases, increases
Term
Which grid ratio is not used as frequently and why?
Definition
16:1, high patient dose
Term
What is one of the major disadvantages of using grids?
Definition
Increase patient dose
Term
How much more radiation is needed with a moving vs. stationary grid?
Definition
15% increase
Term
True or false.  Mammo uses high grid ratio
Definition

False

Term
List the three factors to be used when selecting a grid
Definition

1. Patient dose increase with grid ratio

2. High ratio grids used for high kvp

3. patient dose at high kvp is less than at low kvp

Term
Why must the technique be changed when using a grid?
Definition
in order to make up for absorption from grid
Term
Define air-gap
Definition
IR is positioned 10-15 cm from patient in order to reduce scatter radiation
Term
How does air-gap enhance contrast?
Definition
because fewer scattered x-rays interact with IR
Term
How much must you increase mas when using air-gap?  Does this increase of technical factors increase patient dosage?  Why or why not?
Definition
10 % for every cm of gap.  Patient dose higher than non-grid, less than grid. 
Term
Where is air gap commonly used?
Definition
chest radiography, cerebral angiography
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