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Projectional radiography

Projectional radiography, also known as conventional radiography,[1] is a form of radiography and medical imaging that produces two-dimensional images by X-ray radiation. The image acquisition is generally performed by radiographers, and the images are often examined by radiologists. Both the procedure and any resultant images are often simply called 'X-ray'. Plain radiography or roentgenography generally refers to projectional radiography (without the use of more advanced techniques such as computed tomography that can generate 3D-images). Plain radiography can also refer to radiography without a radiocontrast agent or radiography that generates single static images, as contrasted to fluoroscopy, which are technically also projectional.

Projectional radiography
AP and lateral elbow X-ray
ICD-10-PCSB?0
ICD-9-CM87
OPS-301 code3-10...3-13
[edit on Wikidata]

Equipment edit

 
Acquisition of projectional radiography, with an X-ray generator and a detector

X-ray generator edit

Projectional radiographs generally use X-rays created by X-ray generators, which generate X-rays from X-ray tubes.

Grid edit

An anti-scatter grid may be placed between the patient and the detector to reduce the quantity of scattered x-rays that reach the detector. This improves the contrast resolution of the image, but also increases radiation exposure for the patient.

Detector edit

Detectors can be divided into two major categories: imaging detectors (such as photographic plates and X-ray film (photographic film), now mostly replaced by various digitizing devices like image plates or flat panel detectors) and dose measurement devices (such as ionization chambers, Geiger counters, and dosimeters used to measure the local radiation exposure, dose, and/or dose rate, for example, for verifying that radiation protection equipment and procedures are effective on an ongoing basis).

Shielding edit

Lead is the main material used by radiography personnel for shielding against scattered X-rays.

Image properties edit

 
Patient undergoing an X-ray exam in a hospital radiology room.

Projectional radiography relies on the characteristics of X-ray radiation (quantity and quality of the beam) and knowledge of how it interacts with human tissue to create diagnostic images. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation, meaning it has sufficient energy to potentially remove electrons from an atom, thus giving it a charge and making it an ion.

X-ray attenuation edit

When an exposure is made, X-ray radiation exits the tube as what is known as the primary beam. When the primary beam passes through the body, some of the radiation is absorbed in a process known as attenuation. Anatomy that is denser has a higher rate of attenuation than anatomy that is less dense, so bone will absorb more X-rays than soft tissue. What remains of the primary beam after attenuation is known as the remnant beam. The remnant beam is responsible for exposing the image receptor. Areas on the image receptor that receive the most radiation (portions of the remnant beam experiencing the least attenuation) will be more heavily exposed, and therefore will be processed as being darker. Conversely, areas on the image receptor that receive the least radiation (portions of the remnant beam experience the most attenuation) will be less exposed and will be processed as being lighter. This is why bone, which is very dense, process as being 'white' on radio graphs, and the lungs, which contain mostly air and is the least dense, shows up as 'black'.

Density edit

Radiographic density is the measure of overall darkening of the image. Density is a logarithmic unit that describes the ratio between light hitting the film and light being transmitted through the film. A higher radiographic density represents more opaque areas of the film, and lower density more transparent areas of the film.

With digital imaging, however, density may be referred to as brightness. The brightness of the radiograph in digital imaging is determined by computer software and the monitor on which the image is being viewed.

Contrast edit

Contrast is defined as the difference in radiographic density between adjacent portions of the image. The range between black and white on the final radiograph. High contrast, or short-scale contrast, means there is little gray on the radiograph, and there are fewer gray shades between black and white. Low contrast, or long-scale contrast, means there is much gray on the radiograph, and there are many gray shades between black and white.

Closely related to radiographic contrast is the concept of exposure latitude. Exposure latitude is the range of exposures over which the recording medium (image receptor) will respond with a diagnostically useful density; in other words, this is the "flexibility" or "leeway" that a radiographer has when setting his/her exposure factors. Images having a short-scale of contrast will have narrow exposure latitude. Images having long-scale contrast will have a wide exposure latitude; that is, the radiographer will be able to utilize a broader range of technical factors to produce a diagnostic-quality image.

Contrast is determined by the kilovoltage (kV; energy/quality/penetrability) of the x-ray beam and the tissue composition of the body part being radiographed. Selection of look-up tables (LUT) in digital imaging also affects contrast.

Generally speaking, high contrast is necessary for body parts in which bony anatomy is of clinical interest (extremities, bony thorax, etc.). When soft tissue is of interest (ex. abdomen or chest), lower contrast is preferable in order to accurately demonstrate all of the soft tissue tones in these areas.

Geometric magnification edit

 
Image relating focal spot size to geometric unsharpness in projectional radiography.[2]

Geometric magnification results from the detector being farther away from the X-ray source than the object. In this regard, the source-detector distance or SDD[3] is a measurement of the distance between the generator and the detector. Alternative names are source[4]/focus to detector/image-receptor[4]/film (latter used when using X-ray film) distance (SID,[4] FID or FRD).

The estimated radiographic magnification factor (ERMF) is the ratio of the source-detector distance (SDD) over the source-object distance (SOD).[5] The size of the object is given as:
 ,
where Sizeprojection is the size of the projection that the object forms on the detector. On lumbar and chest radiographs, it is anticipated that ERMF is between 1.05 and 1.40.[6] Because of the uncertainty of the true size of objects seen on projectional radiography, their sizes are often compared to other structures within the body, such as dimensions of the vertebrae, or empirically by clinical experience.[7]

The source-detector distance (SDD) is roughly related to the source-object distance (SOD)[8] and the object-detector distance (ODD) by the equation SOD + ODD = SDD.

Geometric unsharpness edit

Geometric unsharpness is caused by the X-ray generator not creating X-rays from a single point but rather from an area, as can be measured as the focal spot size. Geometric unsharpness increases proportionally to the focal spot size, as well as the estimated radiographic magnification factor (ERMF).

Geometric distortion edit

Organs will have different relative distances to the detector depending on which direction the X-rays come from. For example, chest radiographs are preferably taken with X-rays coming from behind (called a "posteroanterior" or "PA" radiograph). However, in case the patient cannot stand, the radiograph often needs to be taken with the patient lying in a supine position (called a "bedside" radiograph) with the X-rays coming from above ("anteroposterior" or "AP"), and geometric magnification will then cause for example the heart to appear larger than it actually is because it is further away from the detector.[9]

Scatter edit

In addition to using an anti-scatter grid, increasing the ODD alone can improve image contrast by decreasing the amount of scattered radiation that reaches the receptor. However, this needs to be weighted against increased geometric unsharpness if the SDD is not also proportionally increased.[10]

Imaging variations by target tissue edit

Projection radiography uses X-rays in different amounts and strengths depending on what body part is being imaged:

  • Hard tissues such as bone require a relatively high energy photon source, and typically a tungsten anode is used with a high voltage (50-150 kVp) on a 3-phase or high-frequency machine to generate bremsstrahlung or braking radiation. Bony tissue and metals are denser than the surrounding tissue, and thus by absorbing more of the X-ray photons they prevent the film from getting exposed as much.[11] Wherever dense tissue absorbs or stops the X-rays, the resulting X-ray film is unexposed, and appears translucent blue, whereas the black parts of the film represent lower-density tissues such as fat, skin, and internal organs, which could not stop the X-rays. This is usually used to see bony fractures, foreign objects (such as ingested coins), and used for finding bony pathology such as osteoarthritis, infection (osteomyelitis), cancer (osteosarcoma), as well as growth studies (leg length, achondroplasia, scoliosis, etc.).
  • Soft tissues are seen with the same machine as for hard tissues, but a "softer" or less-penetrating X-ray beam is used. Tissues commonly imaged include the lungs and heart shadow in a chest X-ray, the air pattern of the bowel in abdominal X-rays, the soft tissues of the neck, the orbits by a skull X-ray before an MRI to check for radiopaque foreign bodies (especially metal), and of course the soft tissue shadows in X-rays of bony injuries are looked at by the radiologist for signs of hidden trauma (for example, the famous "fat pad" sign on a fractured elbow).

Projectional radiography terminology edit

 
X-ray under examination

NOTE: The simplified word 'view' is often used to describe a radiographic projection.

Plain radiography generally refers to projectional radiography (without the use of more advanced techniques such as computed tomography). Plain radiography can also refer to radiography without a radiocontrast agent or radiography that generates single static images, as contrasted to fluoroscopy.

  • AP - Antero-Posterior
  • PA - Postero-Anterior
  • DP - Dorsal-Plantar
  • Lateral - Projection taken with the central ray perpendicular to the midsagittal plane
  • Oblique - Projection taken with the central ray at an angle to any of the body planes. Described by the angle of obliquity and the portion of the body the X-ray beam exits; right or left and posterior or anterior. For example, a 45 degree Right Anterior Oblique of the Cervical Spine.
  • Flexion - Joint is radiographed while in flexion
  • Extension - Joint is radiographed while in extension
  • Stress Views - Typically taken of joints with external force applied in a direction that is different from main movement of the joint. Test of stability.
  • Weight-bearing - Generally with the subject standing up
  • HBL, HRL, HCR or CTL - Horizontal Beam Lateral, Horizontal Ray Lateral, Horizontal Central Ray, or Cross Table Lateral. Used to obtain a lateral projection usually when patients are unable to move.
  • Prone - Patient lies on their front
  • Supine - Patient lies on the back
  • Decubitus - Patient lying down. Further described by the downside body surface: dorsal (backside down), ventral (frontside down), or lateral (left or right side down).
  • OM - occipito-mental, an imaginary positioning line extending from the menti (chin) to the occiput (particularly the external occiputal protuberance)
  • Cranial or Cephalad - Tube angulation towards the head
  • Caudal - Tube angulation towards the feet

By target organ or structure edit

Breasts edit

 
Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.

Projectional radiography of the breasts is called mammography. This has been used mostly on women to screen for breast cancer, but is also used to view male breasts, and used in conjunction with a radiologist or a surgeon to localise suspicious tissues before a biopsy or a lumpectomy. Breast implants designed to enlarge the breasts reduce the viewing ability of mammography, and require more time for imaging as more views need to be taken. This is because the material used in the implant is very dense compared to breast tissue, and looks white (clear) on the film. The radiation used for mammography tends to be softer (has a lower photon energy) than that used for the harder tissues. Often a tube with a molybdenum anode is used with about 30 000 volts (30 kV), giving a range of X-ray energies of about 15-30 keV. Many of these photons are "characteristic radiation" of a specific energy determined by the atomic structure of the target material (Mo-K radiation).

Chest edit

 
A normal posteroanterior (PA) chest radiograph.

Chest radiographs are used to diagnose many conditions involving the chest wall, including its bones, and also structures contained within the thoracic cavity including the lungs, heart, and great vessels. Conditions commonly identified by chest radiography include pneumonia, pneumothorax, interstitial lung disease, heart failure, bone fracture and hiatal hernia. Typically an erect postero-anterior (PA) projection is the preferred projection. Chest radiographs are also used to screen for job-related lung disease in industries such as mining where workers are exposed to dust.[12]

For some conditions of the chest, radiography is good for screening but poor for diagnosis. When a condition is suspected based on chest radiography, additional imaging of the chest can be obtained to definitively diagnose the condition or to provide evidence in favor of the diagnosis suggested by initial chest radiography. Unless a fractured rib is suspected of being displaced, and therefore likely to cause damage to the lungs and other tissue structures, an X-ray of the chest is not necessary as it will not alter patient management.

Abdomen edit

 
Abdominal radiograph.

In children, abdominal radiography is indicated in the acute setting in suspected bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, foreign body in the alimentary tract, suspected abdominal mass and intussusception (latter as part of the differential diagnosis).[13] Yet, CT scan is the best alternative for diagnosing intra-abdominal injury in children.[13] For acute abdominal pain in adults, an abdominal X-ray has a low sensitivity and accuracy in general. Computed tomography provides an overall better surgical strategy planning, and possibly less unnecessary laparotomies. Abdominal X-ray is therefore not recommended for adults presenting in the emergency department with acute abdominal pain.[14]

The standard abdominal X-ray protocol is usually a single anteroposterior projection in supine position.[15] A Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder projection (KUB) is an anteroposterior abdominal projection that covers the levels of the urinary system, but does not necessarily include the diaphragm.

Axial skeleton edit

Head edit

  • Cerebral angiography allows visualization of blood vessels in and around the brain. A contrast agent is injected prior to the radiographs of the head,
  • Dental radiography uses a small radiation dose with high penetration to view teeth, which are relatively dense. A dentist may examine a painful tooth and gum using X-ray equipment. The machines used are typically single-phase pulsating DC, the oldest and simplest sort. Dental technicians or the dentist may run these machines; radiographers are not required by law to be present. A derivative technique from projectional radiography used in dental radiography is orthopantomography. This is a panoramic imaging technique of the upper and lower jaw using focal plane tomography, where the X-ray generator and X-ray detector are simultaneously moved so as to keep a consistent exposure of only the plane of interest during image acquisition.
  • Sinus - The standard protocol in the UK is OM with open mouth.[15]
  • Facial Bones - The standard protocol in the UK is OM and OM 30°.[15]

In case of trauma, the standard UK protocol is to have a CT scan of the skull instead of projectional radiography.[15] A skeletal survey including the skull can be indicated in for example multiple myeloma.[15]

Other axial skeleton edit

 
Whole-body radiograph of a major trauma case (where, however, full-body CT scan is usually preferable), showing bilateral femur fractures.[16]
  • Cervical spine: The standard projections in the UK AP and Lateral. Peg projection with trauma only. Obliques and Flexion and Extension on special request.[15] In the US, five or six projections are common; a Lateral, two 45 degree obliques, an AP axial (Cephalad), an AP "Open Mouth" for C1-C2, and Cervicothoracic Lateral (Swimmer's) to better visualize C7-T1 if necessary. Special projections include a Lateral with Flexion and Extension of the cervical spine, an Axial for C1-C2 (Fuchs or Judd method), and an AP Axial (Caudad) for articular pillars.
  • Thoracic Spine - AP and Lateral in the UK.[15] In the US, an AP and Lateral are basic projections. Obliques 20 degrees from lateral may be ordered to better visualize the zygapophysial joint.
  • Lumbar Spine - AP and Lateral +/- L5/S1 view in the UK, with obliques and Flexion and Extension requests being rare.[15] In the US, basic projections include an AP, two Obliques, a Lateral, and a Lateral L5-S1 spot to better visualize the L5-S1 interspace. Special projections are AP Right and Left bending, and Laterals with Flexion and Extension.
  • Pelvis - AP only in the UK, with SIJ projections (prone) on special request.[15]
  • Sacrum and Coccyx: In the US, if both bones are to be examined separate cephalad and caudad AP axial projections are obtained for the sacrum and coccyx respectively as well as a single Lateral of both bones.
  • Ribs: In the US, common rib projections are based on the location of the area of interest. These are obtained with shorter wavelengths/higher frequencies/higher levels of radiation than a standard CXR.
  • Anterior area of interest - a PA chest X-ray, a PA projection of the ribs, and a 45 degree Anterior Oblique with the non-interest side closest to the image receptor.
  • Posterior area of interest - a PA chest X-ray, an AP projection of the ribs, and a 45 degree Posterior Oblique with the side of interest closest to the image receptor.
  • Sternum. The standard projections in the UK are PA chest and lateral sternum.[15] In the US, the two basic projections are a 15 to 20 degree Right Anterior Oblique and a Lateral.
  • Sternoclavicular Joints - Are usually ordered as a single PA and a Right and Left 15 degree Right Anterior Obliques in the US.

Shoulders edit

 
AP glenoid (Grashey view).

These include:

AP-projection 40° posterior oblique after Grashey

The body has to be rotated about 30 to 45 degrees towards the shoulder to be imaged, and the standing or sitting patient lets the arm hang. This method reveals the joint gap and the vertical alignment towards the socket.[17]

Transaxillary projection

The arm should be abducted 80 to 100 degrees. This method reveals:[17]

  • The horizontal alignment of the humerus head in respect to the socket, and the lateral clavicle in respect to the acromion.
  • Lesions of the anterior and posterior socket border or of the tuberculum minus.
  • The eventual non-closure of the acromial apophysis.
  • The coraco-humeral interval
Y-projection

The lateral contour of the shoulder should be positioned in front of the film in a way that the longitudinal axis of the scapula continues parallel to the path of the rays. This method reveals:[17]

  • The horizontal centralization of the humerus head and socket.
  • The osseous margins of the coraco-acromial arch and hence the supraspinatus outlet canal.
  • The shape of the acromion

This projection has a low tolerance for errors and accordingly needs proper execution.[17] The Y-projection can be traced back to Wijnblath's 1933 published cavitas-en-face projection.[18]

In the UK, the standard projections of the shoulder are AP and Lateral Scapula or Axillary Projection.[15]

Extremities edit

A projectional radiograph of an extremity confers an effective dose of approximately 0.001 mSv, comparable to a background radiation equivalent time of 3 hours.[16]

The standard projection protocols in the UK are:[15]

  • Clavicle - AP and AP Cranial
  • Humerus - AP and Lateral
  • Elbow - AP and Lateral. Radial head projections available on request
  • Radius and Ulna - AP and Lateral
  • Wrist - DP and Lateral
  • Scaphoid - DP with Ulna deviation, Lateral, Oblique and DP with 30° angulation
  • Hip joint: AP and Lateral.[15]
  • The Lauenstein projection a form of examination of the hip joint emphasizing the relationship of the femur to the acetabulum. The knee of the affected leg is flexed, and the thigh is drawn up to nearly a right angle. This is also called the frog-leg position.
Applications include X-ray of hip dysplasia.
  • Hand - DP and Oblique
  • Fingers - DP and Lateral
  • Thumb - AP and Lateral
  • Femur - AP and Lateral
  • Knee - AP and Lateral. Intra Condular projections on request
  • Patella - Skyline projection
  • Tibia and Fibula - AP and Lateral
  • Ankle - AP/Mortice and Lateral
  • Calcaneum - Axial and Lateral
  • Foot / Toes - Dorsoplantar, Oblique and Lateral.[19]

Certain suspected conditions require specific projections. For example, skeletal signs of rickets are seen predominantly at sites of rapid growth, including the proximal humerus, distal radius, distal femur and both the proximal and the distal tibia. Therefore, a skeletal survey for rickets can be accomplished with anteroposterior radiographs of the knees, wrists, and ankles.[20]

General disease mimics edit

Radiological disease mimics are visual artifacts, normal anatomic structures or harmless variants that may simulate diseases or abnormalities. In projectional radiography, general disease mimics include jewelry, clothes and skin folds. [21] In general medicine a disease mimic shows symptoms and/or signs like those of another.[22]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Shelledy, David C.; Peters, Jay I. (2014-11-26). Respiratory Care: Patient Assessment and Care Plan Development. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 430. ISBN 978-1-4496-7206-5.
  2. ^ Bruce Blakeley, Konstantinos Spartiotis (2006). "Digital radiography for the inspection of small defects". Insight. 48 (2).
  3. ^ Page 359 in: Olaf Dössel, Wolfgang C. Schlegel (2010). World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering September 7 - 12, 2009 Munich, Germany: Vol. 25/I Radiation Oncology. IFMBE Proceedings. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9783642034749.
  4. ^ a b c "source-to-image-receptor distance". Farlex medical dictionary, in turn citing Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 9th edition. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  5. ^ DICOM (2016-11-21). "DICOM PS3.3 - Information Object Definitions - Table C.8-30. XA Positioner Module Attributes". Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  6. ^ M Sandborg, D R Dance, and G Alm Carlsson. "Implementation of unsharpness and noise into the model of the imaging system: Applications to chest and lumbar spine screen-film radiography" (PDF). Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Report 90. Jan. 1999. ISRN: LIU-RAD-R-090
  7. ^ Page 788 in: Joseph C. Masdeu, R. Gilberto Gonzalez (2016). Neuroimaging, Part 2 Volume 136 of Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Newnes. ISBN 9780702045387.
  8. ^ "source-object distance". thefreedictionary.com.
  9. ^ Page 278 in: Robert O. Bonow, Douglas L. Mann, Douglas P. Zipes, Peter Libby (2011). Braunwald's Heart Disease E-Book: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 9781437727708.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Ritenour, Mary Alice Statkiewicz Sherer, Paula J. Visconti, E. Russell (2010). Radiation protection in medical radiography (6th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-323-06611-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Advances in kilovoltage x-ray beam dosimetry, http://iopscience.iop.org/0031-9155/59/6/R183/article
  12. ^ Using Digital Chest Images to Monitor the Health of Coal Miners and Other Workers. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
  13. ^ a b "Radiology - Acute indications". Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  14. ^ Boermeester, Marie A; Gans, Sarah L.; Stoker, J; Boermeester, Marie A (2012). "Plain abdominal radiography in acute abdominal pain; past, present, and future". International Journal of General Medicine. 5: 525–33. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S17410. ISSN 1178-7074. PMC 3396109. PMID 22807640.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Radiographic Standard Operating Protocols" (PDF). HEFT Radiology Directorate. Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams". radiologyinfo.org by the Radiological Society of North America. Retrieved 2017-08-10. (CC-BY-2.0)
  17. ^ a b c d Hedtmann, A.; Heers, G. (2007). "Bildgebende Verfahren bei Rotatorenmanschettendefekten der Schulter" [Imaging techniques for rotator cuff of the shoulder]. Der Orthopäde (in German). 36 (9): 796–809. doi:10.1007/s00132-007-1138-8. PMID 17713757.
  18. ^ Wijnbladh, H (1933). "Zur Röntgendiagnose von Schulterluxationen" [For X-ray diagnosis of shoulder dislocations]. Chirurg (in German). 5: 702.
  19. ^ Henry R Guly. "Foot Injuries". Royal College of Emergency Medicine. Retrieved 2017-07-28. Published: 23/12/2013. Review Date: 23/12/2017
  20. ^ Cheema, Jugesh I.; Grissom, Leslie E.; Harcke, H. Theodore (2003). "Radiographic Characteristics of Lower-Extremity Bowing in Children". RadioGraphics. 23 (4): 871–880. doi:10.1148/rg.234025149. ISSN 0271-5333. PMID 12853662.
  21. ^ Page 46 in: Michael Darby, Nicholas Maskell, Anthony Edey, Ladli Chandratreya (2012). Pocket Tutor Chest X-Ray Interpretation. JP Medical Ltd. ISBN 9781907816062.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "mimic". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2022-06-10.

External links edit

  • Online Radiography Positioning Manual
  • Nice Guidelines
  • RADIOGRAPHY WIKI A fledgling radiography specific wiki

projectional, radiography, also, known, conventional, radiography, form, radiography, medical, imaging, that, produces, dimensional, images, radiation, image, acquisition, generally, performed, radiographers, images, often, examined, radiologists, both, proced. Projectional radiography also known as conventional radiography 1 is a form of radiography and medical imaging that produces two dimensional images by X ray radiation The image acquisition is generally performed by radiographers and the images are often examined by radiologists Both the procedure and any resultant images are often simply called X ray Plain radiography or roentgenography generally refers to projectional radiography without the use of more advanced techniques such as computed tomography that can generate 3D images Plain radiography can also refer to radiography without a radiocontrast agent or radiography that generates single static images as contrasted to fluoroscopy which are technically also projectional Projectional radiographyAP and lateral elbow X rayICD 10 PCSB 0ICD 9 CM87OPS 301 code3 10 3 13 edit on Wikidata Contents 1 Equipment 1 1 X ray generator 1 2 Grid 1 3 Detector 1 4 Shielding 2 Image properties 2 1 X ray attenuation 2 2 Density 2 3 Contrast 2 4 Geometric magnification 2 5 Geometric unsharpness 2 6 Geometric distortion 2 7 Scatter 3 Imaging variations by target tissue 4 Projectional radiography terminology 5 By target organ or structure 5 1 Breasts 5 2 Chest 5 3 Abdomen 5 4 Axial skeleton 5 4 1 Head 5 4 2 Other axial skeleton 5 5 Shoulders 5 6 Extremities 6 General disease mimics 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksEquipment edit nbsp Acquisition of projectional radiography with an X ray generator and a detectorX ray generator edit Main article X ray generator Projectional radiographs generally use X rays created by X ray generators which generate X rays from X ray tubes Grid edit An anti scatter grid may be placed between the patient and the detector to reduce the quantity of scattered x rays that reach the detector This improves the contrast resolution of the image but also increases radiation exposure for the patient Detector edit Main article X ray detector Detectors can be divided into two major categories imaging detectors such as photographic plates and X ray film photographic film now mostly replaced by various digitizing devices like image plates or flat panel detectors and dose measurement devices such as ionization chambers Geiger counters and dosimeters used to measure the local radiation exposure dose and or dose rate for example for verifying that radiation protection equipment and procedures are effective on an ongoing basis Shielding edit Further information Radiography Lead is the main material used by radiography personnel for shielding against scattered X rays Image properties edit nbsp Patient undergoing an X ray exam in a hospital radiology room Projectional radiography relies on the characteristics of X ray radiation quantity and quality of the beam and knowledge of how it interacts with human tissue to create diagnostic images X rays are a form of ionizing radiation meaning it has sufficient energy to potentially remove electrons from an atom thus giving it a charge and making it an ion X ray attenuation edit When an exposure is made X ray radiation exits the tube as what is known as the primary beam When the primary beam passes through the body some of the radiation is absorbed in a process known as attenuation Anatomy that is denser has a higher rate of attenuation than anatomy that is less dense so bone will absorb more X rays than soft tissue What remains of the primary beam after attenuation is known as the remnant beam The remnant beam is responsible for exposing the image receptor Areas on the image receptor that receive the most radiation portions of the remnant beam experiencing the least attenuation will be more heavily exposed and therefore will be processed as being darker Conversely areas on the image receptor that receive the least radiation portions of the remnant beam experience the most attenuation will be less exposed and will be processed as being lighter This is why bone which is very dense process as being white on radio graphs and the lungs which contain mostly air and is the least dense shows up as black Density edit Radiographic density is the measure of overall darkening of the image Density is a logarithmic unit that describes the ratio between light hitting the film and light being transmitted through the film A higher radiographic density represents more opaque areas of the film and lower density more transparent areas of the film With digital imaging however density may be referred to as brightness The brightness of the radiograph in digital imaging is determined by computer software and the monitor on which the image is being viewed Contrast edit Contrast is defined as the difference in radiographic density between adjacent portions of the image The range between black and white on the final radiograph High contrast or short scale contrast means there is little gray on the radiograph and there are fewer gray shades between black and white Low contrast or long scale contrast means there is much gray on the radiograph and there are many gray shades between black and white Closely related to radiographic contrast is the concept of exposure latitude Exposure latitude is the range of exposures over which the recording medium image receptor will respond with a diagnostically useful density in other words this is the flexibility or leeway that a radiographer has when setting his her exposure factors Images having a short scale of contrast will have narrow exposure latitude Images having long scale contrast will have a wide exposure latitude that is the radiographer will be able to utilize a broader range of technical factors to produce a diagnostic quality image Contrast is determined by the kilovoltage kV energy quality penetrability of the x ray beam and the tissue composition of the body part being radiographed Selection of look up tables LUT in digital imaging also affects contrast Generally speaking high contrast is necessary for body parts in which bony anatomy is of clinical interest extremities bony thorax etc When soft tissue is of interest ex abdomen or chest lower contrast is preferable in order to accurately demonstrate all of the soft tissue tones in these areas Geometric magnification edit nbsp Image relating focal spot size to geometric unsharpness in projectional radiography 2 Geometric magnification results from the detector being farther away from the X ray source than the object In this regard the source detector distance or SDD 3 is a measurement of the distance between the generator and the detector Alternative names are source 4 focus to detector image receptor 4 film latter used when using X ray film distance SID 4 FID or FRD The estimated radiographic magnification factor ERMF is the ratio of the source detector distance SDD over the source object distance SOD 5 The size of the object is given as S i z e o b j e c t S i z e p r o j e c t i o n E R M F displaystyle Size object frac Size projection ERMF nbsp where Sizeprojection is the size of the projection that the object forms on the detector On lumbar and chest radiographs it is anticipated that ERMF is between 1 05 and 1 40 6 Because of the uncertainty of the true size of objects seen on projectional radiography their sizes are often compared to other structures within the body such as dimensions of the vertebrae or empirically by clinical experience 7 The source detector distance SDD is roughly related to the source object distance SOD 8 and the object detector distance ODD by the equation SOD ODD SDD Geometric unsharpness edit Geometric unsharpness is caused by the X ray generator not creating X rays from a single point but rather from an area as can be measured as the focal spot size Geometric unsharpness increases proportionally to the focal spot size as well as the estimated radiographic magnification factor ERMF Geometric distortion edit Organs will have different relative distances to the detector depending on which direction the X rays come from For example chest radiographs are preferably taken with X rays coming from behind called a posteroanterior or PA radiograph However in case the patient cannot stand the radiograph often needs to be taken with the patient lying in a supine position called a bedside radiograph with the X rays coming from above anteroposterior or AP and geometric magnification will then cause for example the heart to appear larger than it actually is because it is further away from the detector 9 Scatter edit In addition to using an anti scatter grid increasing the ODD alone can improve image contrast by decreasing the amount of scattered radiation that reaches the receptor However this needs to be weighted against increased geometric unsharpness if the SDD is not also proportionally increased 10 Imaging variations by target tissue editProjection radiography uses X rays in different amounts and strengths depending on what body part is being imaged Hard tissues such as bone require a relatively high energy photon source and typically a tungsten anode is used with a high voltage 50 150 kVp on a 3 phase or high frequency machine to generate bremsstrahlung or braking radiation Bony tissue and metals are denser than the surrounding tissue and thus by absorbing more of the X ray photons they prevent the film from getting exposed as much 11 Wherever dense tissue absorbs or stops the X rays the resulting X ray film is unexposed and appears translucent blue whereas the black parts of the film represent lower density tissues such as fat skin and internal organs which could not stop the X rays This is usually used to see bony fractures foreign objects such as ingested coins and used for finding bony pathology such as osteoarthritis infection osteomyelitis cancer osteosarcoma as well as growth studies leg length achondroplasia scoliosis etc Soft tissues are seen with the same machine as for hard tissues but a softer or less penetrating X ray beam is used Tissues commonly imaged include the lungs and heart shadow in a chest X ray the air pattern of the bowel in abdominal X rays the soft tissues of the neck the orbits by a skull X ray before an MRI to check for radiopaque foreign bodies especially metal and of course the soft tissue shadows in X rays of bony injuries are looked at by the radiologist for signs of hidden trauma for example the famous fat pad sign on a fractured elbow Projectional radiography terminology edit nbsp X ray under examinationNOTE The simplified word view is often used to describe a radiographic projection Plain radiography generally refers to projectional radiography without the use of more advanced techniques such as computed tomography Plain radiography can also refer to radiography without a radiocontrast agent or radiography that generates single static images as contrasted to fluoroscopy AP Antero Posterior PA Postero Anterior DP Dorsal Plantar Lateral Projection taken with the central ray perpendicular to the midsagittal plane Oblique Projection taken with the central ray at an angle to any of the body planes Described by the angle of obliquity and the portion of the body the X ray beam exits right or left and posterior or anterior For example a 45 degree Right Anterior Oblique of the Cervical Spine Flexion Joint is radiographed while in flexion Extension Joint is radiographed while in extension Stress Views Typically taken of joints with external force applied in a direction that is different from main movement of the joint Test of stability Weight bearing Generally with the subject standing up HBL HRL HCR or CTL Horizontal Beam Lateral Horizontal Ray Lateral Horizontal Central Ray or Cross Table Lateral Used to obtain a lateral projection usually when patients are unable to move Prone Patient lies on their front Supine Patient lies on the back Decubitus Patient lying down Further described by the downside body surface dorsal backside down ventral frontside down or lateral left or right side down OM occipito mental an imaginary positioning line extending from the menti chin to the occiput particularly the external occiputal protuberance Cranial or Cephalad Tube angulation towards the head Caudal Tube angulation towards the feetBy target organ or structure editBreasts edit Main article Mammography nbsp Normal left versus cancerous right mammography image Projectional radiography of the breasts is called mammography This has been used mostly on women to screen for breast cancer but is also used to view male breasts and used in conjunction with a radiologist or a surgeon to localise suspicious tissues before a biopsy or a lumpectomy Breast implants designed to enlarge the breasts reduce the viewing ability of mammography and require more time for imaging as more views need to be taken This is because the material used in the implant is very dense compared to breast tissue and looks white clear on the film The radiation used for mammography tends to be softer has a lower photon energy than that used for the harder tissues Often a tube with a molybdenum anode is used with about 30 000 volts 30 kV giving a range of X ray energies of about 15 30 keV Many of these photons are characteristic radiation of a specific energy determined by the atomic structure of the target material Mo K radiation Chest edit nbsp A normal posteroanterior PA chest radiograph Main article Chest radiography Chest radiographs are used to diagnose many conditions involving the chest wall including its bones and also structures contained within the thoracic cavity including the lungs heart and great vessels Conditions commonly identified by chest radiography include pneumonia pneumothorax interstitial lung disease heart failure bone fracture and hiatal hernia Typically an erect postero anterior PA projection is the preferred projection Chest radiographs are also used to screen for job related lung disease in industries such as mining where workers are exposed to dust 12 For some conditions of the chest radiography is good for screening but poor for diagnosis When a condition is suspected based on chest radiography additional imaging of the chest can be obtained to definitively diagnose the condition or to provide evidence in favor of the diagnosis suggested by initial chest radiography Unless a fractured rib is suspected of being displaced and therefore likely to cause damage to the lungs and other tissue structures an X ray of the chest is not necessary as it will not alter patient management Abdomen edit Main article Abdominal X ray nbsp Abdominal radiograph In children abdominal radiography is indicated in the acute setting in suspected bowel obstruction gastrointestinal perforation foreign body in the alimentary tract suspected abdominal mass and intussusception latter as part of the differential diagnosis 13 Yet CT scan is the best alternative for diagnosing intra abdominal injury in children 13 For acute abdominal pain in adults an abdominal X ray has a low sensitivity and accuracy in general Computed tomography provides an overall better surgical strategy planning and possibly less unnecessary laparotomies Abdominal X ray is therefore not recommended for adults presenting in the emergency department with acute abdominal pain 14 The standard abdominal X ray protocol is usually a single anteroposterior projection in supine position 15 A Kidneys Ureters and Bladder projection KUB is an anteroposterior abdominal projection that covers the levels of the urinary system but does not necessarily include the diaphragm Axial skeleton edit Head edit Cerebral angiography allows visualization of blood vessels in and around the brain A contrast agent is injected prior to the radiographs of the head Orbital radiography imaging both left and right eye sockets generally including the frontal and maxillary sinuses Dental radiography uses a small radiation dose with high penetration to view teeth which are relatively dense A dentist may examine a painful tooth and gum using X ray equipment The machines used are typically single phase pulsating DC the oldest and simplest sort Dental technicians or the dentist may run these machines radiographers are not required by law to be present A derivative technique from projectional radiography used in dental radiography is orthopantomography This is a panoramic imaging technique of the upper and lower jaw using focal plane tomography where the X ray generator and X ray detector are simultaneously moved so as to keep a consistent exposure of only the plane of interest during image acquisition Sinus The standard protocol in the UK is OM with open mouth 15 Facial Bones The standard protocol in the UK is OM and OM 30 15 In case of trauma the standard UK protocol is to have a CT scan of the skull instead of projectional radiography 15 A skeletal survey including the skull can be indicated in for example multiple myeloma 15 Other axial skeleton edit nbsp Whole body radiograph of a major trauma case where however full body CT scan is usually preferable showing bilateral femur fractures 16 The spine that is the vertebral column A projectional radiograph of the spine confers an effective dose of approximately 1 5 mSv comparable to a background radiation equivalent time of 6 months Cervical spine The standard projections in the UK AP and Lateral Peg projection with trauma only Obliques and Flexion and Extension on special request 15 In the US five or six projections are common a Lateral two 45 degree obliques an AP axial Cephalad an AP Open Mouth for C1 C2 and Cervicothoracic Lateral Swimmer s to better visualize C7 T1 if necessary Special projections include a Lateral with Flexion and Extension of the cervical spine an Axial for C1 C2 Fuchs or Judd method and an AP Axial Caudad for articular pillars Thoracic Spine AP and Lateral in the UK 15 In the US an AP and Lateral are basic projections Obliques 20 degrees from lateral may be ordered to better visualize the zygapophysial joint Lumbar Spine AP and Lateral L5 S1 view in the UK with obliques and Flexion and Extension requests being rare 15 In the US basic projections include an AP two Obliques a Lateral and a Lateral L5 S1 spot to better visualize the L5 S1 interspace Special projections are AP Right and Left bending and Laterals with Flexion and Extension Pelvis AP only in the UK with SIJ projections prone on special request 15 Sacrum and Coccyx In the US if both bones are to be examined separate cephalad and caudad AP axial projections are obtained for the sacrum and coccyx respectively as well as a single Lateral of both bones dd Ribs In the US common rib projections are based on the location of the area of interest These are obtained with shorter wavelengths higher frequencies higher levels of radiation than a standard CXR Anterior area of interest a PA chest X ray a PA projection of the ribs and a 45 degree Anterior Oblique with the non interest side closest to the image receptor Posterior area of interest a PA chest X ray an AP projection of the ribs and a 45 degree Posterior Oblique with the side of interest closest to the image receptor Sternum The standard projections in the UK are PA chest and lateral sternum 15 In the US the two basic projections are a 15 to 20 degree Right Anterior Oblique and a Lateral Sternoclavicular Joints Are usually ordered as a single PA and a Right and Left 15 degree Right Anterior Obliques in the US Shoulders edit nbsp AP glenoid Grashey view These include AP projection 40 posterior oblique after GrasheyThe body has to be rotated about 30 to 45 degrees towards the shoulder to be imaged and the standing or sitting patient lets the arm hang This method reveals the joint gap and the vertical alignment towards the socket 17 Transaxillary projectionThe arm should be abducted 80 to 100 degrees This method reveals 17 The horizontal alignment of the humerus head in respect to the socket and the lateral clavicle in respect to the acromion Lesions of the anterior and posterior socket border or of the tuberculum minus The eventual non closure of the acromial apophysis The coraco humeral intervalY projectionThe lateral contour of the shoulder should be positioned in front of the film in a way that the longitudinal axis of the scapula continues parallel to the path of the rays This method reveals 17 The horizontal centralization of the humerus head and socket The osseous margins of the coraco acromial arch and hence the supraspinatus outlet canal The shape of the acromionThis projection has a low tolerance for errors and accordingly needs proper execution 17 The Y projection can be traced back to Wijnblath s 1933 published cavitas en face projection 18 In the UK the standard projections of the shoulder are AP and Lateral Scapula or Axillary Projection 15 nbsp Transaxillary nbsp Y projectionExtremities edit A projectional radiograph of an extremity confers an effective dose of approximately 0 001 mSv comparable to a background radiation equivalent time of 3 hours 16 The standard projection protocols in the UK are 15 Clavicle AP and AP Cranial Humerus AP and Lateral Elbow AP and Lateral Radial head projections available on request nbsp Lateral projection nbsp Anteroposterior projection nbsp Left elbow by 30 degrees internal oblique projection nbsp Left elbow by 30 degrees external oblique projectionRadius and Ulna AP and Lateral Wrist DP and Lateral nbsp Left wrist by dorsoplantar projection nbsp Lateral projectionScaphoid DP with Ulna deviation Lateral Oblique and DP with 30 angulation Hip joint AP and Lateral 15 The Lauenstein projection a form of examination of the hip joint emphasizing the relationship of the femur to the acetabulum The knee of the affected leg is flexed and the thigh is drawn up to nearly a right angle This is also called the frog leg position nbsp AP view of normal hip nbsp Lauenstein projection of normal hipsApplications include X ray of hip dysplasia Hand DP and Oblique nbsp Left hand by dorsoplantar projection nbsp Lateral projection nbsp Oblique projectionFingers DP and Lateral Thumb AP and Lateral Femur AP and Lateral Knee AP and Lateral Intra Condular projections on request Patella Skyline projection nbsp Right knee anteroposterior nbsp Right knee lateral nbsp Patella slightly skew skylineTibia and Fibula AP and Lateral Ankle AP Mortice and Lateral nbsp Ankle frontal nbsp 15 degrees internal rotation nbsp Lateral this one a bit suboptimal by not seeing straight through the ankle joint nbsp Lateral oblique to visualize the posterior border of the tibia Calcaneum Axial and Lateral Foot Toes Dorsoplantar Oblique and Lateral 19 nbsp Normal right foot by dorsoplantar projection nbsp Oblique projection nbsp Lateral projectionCertain suspected conditions require specific projections For example skeletal signs of rickets are seen predominantly at sites of rapid growth including the proximal humerus distal radius distal femur and both the proximal and the distal tibia Therefore a skeletal survey for rickets can be accomplished with anteroposterior radiographs of the knees wrists and ankles 20 General disease mimics editRadiological disease mimics are visual artifacts normal anatomic structures or harmless variants that may simulate diseases or abnormalities In projectional radiography general disease mimics include jewelry clothes and skin folds 21 In general medicine a disease mimic shows symptoms and or signs like those of another 22 nbsp A hip fracture black arrow next to a skin fold white arrow nbsp Bed sheets looking like lung opacities on a chest radiographSee also editMedical imaging in pregnancy including projectional radiography Radiography Medical imaging X ray X ray generator X ray detector Radiographer Digital radiography Tomography Anatomical terms of locationReferences edit Shelledy David C Peters Jay I 2014 11 26 Respiratory Care Patient Assessment and Care Plan Development Jones amp Bartlett Publishers p 430 ISBN 978 1 4496 7206 5 Bruce Blakeley Konstantinos Spartiotis 2006 Digital radiography for the inspection of small defects Insight 48 2 Page 359 in Olaf Dossel Wolfgang C Schlegel 2010 World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering September 7 12 2009 Munich Germany Vol 25 I Radiation Oncology IFMBE Proceedings Springer Science amp Business Media ISBN 9783642034749 a b c source to image receptor distance Farlex medical dictionary in turn citing Mosby s Medical Dictionary 9th edition Retrieved 2018 01 28 DICOM 2016 11 21 DICOM PS3 3 Information Object Definitions Table C 8 30 XA Positioner Module Attributes Retrieved 2017 01 23 M Sandborg D R Dance and G Alm Carlsson Implementation of unsharpness and noise into the model of the imaging system Applications to chest and lumbar spine screen film radiography PDF Faculty of Health Sciences Linkoping University a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Report 90 Jan 1999 ISRN LIU RAD R 090 Page 788 in Joseph C Masdeu R Gilberto Gonzalez 2016 Neuroimaging Part 2 Volume 136 of Handbook of Clinical Neurology Newnes ISBN 9780702045387 source object distance thefreedictionary com Page 278 in Robert O Bonow Douglas L Mann Douglas P Zipes Peter Libby 2011 Braunwald s Heart Disease E Book A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine Elsevier Health Sciences ISBN 9781437727708 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Ritenour Mary Alice Statkiewicz Sherer Paula J Visconti E Russell 2010 Radiation protection in medical radiography 6th ed Maryland Heights MO Mosby Elsevier p 255 ISBN 978 0 323 06611 2 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Advances in kilovoltage x ray beam dosimetry http iopscience iop org 0031 9155 59 6 R183 article Using Digital Chest Images to Monitor the Health of Coal Miners and Other Workers National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health a b Radiology Acute indications Royal Children s Hospital Melbourne Retrieved 2017 07 23 Boermeester Marie A Gans Sarah L Stoker J Boermeester Marie A 2012 Plain abdominal radiography in acute abdominal pain past present and future International Journal of General Medicine 5 525 33 doi 10 2147 IJGM S17410 ISSN 1178 7074 PMC 3396109 PMID 22807640 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Radiographic Standard Operating Protocols PDF HEFT Radiology Directorate Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust 2015 Retrieved 27 January 2016 a b Radiation Dose in X Ray and CT Exams radiologyinfo org by the Radiological Society of North America Retrieved 2017 08 10 CC BY 2 0 a b c d Hedtmann A Heers G 2007 Bildgebende Verfahren bei Rotatorenmanschettendefekten der Schulter Imaging techniques for rotator cuff of the shoulder Der Orthopade in German 36 9 796 809 doi 10 1007 s00132 007 1138 8 PMID 17713757 Wijnbladh H 1933 Zur Rontgendiagnose von Schulterluxationen For X ray diagnosis of shoulder dislocations Chirurg in German 5 702 Henry R Guly Foot Injuries Royal College of Emergency Medicine Retrieved 2017 07 28 Published 23 12 2013 Review Date 23 12 2017 Cheema Jugesh I Grissom Leslie E Harcke H Theodore 2003 Radiographic Characteristics of Lower Extremity Bowing in Children RadioGraphics 23 4 871 880 doi 10 1148 rg 234025149 ISSN 0271 5333 PMID 12853662 Page 46 in Michael Darby Nicholas Maskell Anthony Edey Ladli Chandratreya 2012 Pocket Tutor Chest X Ray Interpretation JP Medical Ltd ISBN 9781907816062 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link mimic TheFreeDictionary com Retrieved 2022 06 10 External links editOnline Radiography Positioning Manual Nice Guidelines The Human Skeleton RADIOGRAPHY WIKI A fledgling radiography specific wiki Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Projectional radiography amp oldid 1173749184 geometrics, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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