Class notes 09.15.

08

Visibility of detail
Visibility of detail is the ability to see the detail or the sharpness of the radiographic
image. Sharpness of the image detail refers to the structural lines or borders of
tissue in the radiographic image.

KVp can influence the radiographic density, such as:

• Low kVp = high contrast = decrease density – short scale of gray.
• High kVp = low contrast = increase density – long scale of gray.

15% rule controls radiographic density.

• + 15% of kVp = 2 X density
• - 15% of kVp = ½ X density

Key word is to maintain the same density.

Using 70 kVp the radiologist a higher contrast radiograph?

Decrease the kVp 15%, increase mAs 2 times to compensate.

Question: 70 kVp, 10 mAs, higher contrast radiograph, two times the density. 70
kVp x 15% ≈ 60 kVp, there for the mAs will automatically be cut in half, but since
you need to compensate for density you need to multiply 10 mAs x 2 = 20 mAs to
bring it back to normal, but since the question ask for two times, you will need to
double it again which will give 40 mAs.

If you want a lower contrast radiograph with ½ of the original density, increase kVp
15% = 80 kVp, automatically it will double the density, you’ll want to cut the mAs in
half to compensate for the automatic adjustment, but since the question want ½ of
the original you would have to cut the mAs cut in half again.

Inverse square law

The closer the source of x-ray photon is to grid.
Conversion Factors: From non-grid

Direct square law

mA – distance
Time – distance
mAs – distance

Screen Speed

Grid conversion factors in mAs

Grids mAs
5:1 2 X mAs
6:1 3 X mAs
8:1 4 X mAs
10:1 4 X mAs
12:1 5 X mAs
16:1 6 X mAs
 Class notes 09.15.08

Grid conversion factors in kVp

Grids kVp
5:1 +8
6:1 + 12
8:1 + 15
10:1 + 15
12:1 + 20 – 25
16:1 + 20 – 25

Correction Factors for Age

Age Correction Factor
Birth – 3 months 0.2
4 months – 2 years 0.3
2 years – 2 years 0.4
5 years – 5 years 0.5
7 years – 12 years 0.6
a. Multiply the correction factor time the mAs employed for the adult anatomic
part.
b. Employ the kVp for centimeter thickness.
c. Do not use for chest correction.

Cast Radiography
a. Measure the part and add 10 kVp for a DRY Cast.
b. Measure the part and add 10 kVp for a WET Cast.

Reciprocating Bucky conversion

a. A Bucky technique requires, at least, 3 times the exposure from non-Bucky.
b. A Bucky technique requires an increase of approximately 20 kVp from non-
Bucky.

Conversion Factor – field size

14 X 17 – in field to 10 X 12 – in field, increase mAs 40%
14 X 17 – in field to 8 X 10 – in field, increase mAs 60%

Beam Restrictions Devices

• Item used to shape the x-ray beam to fit the part of the body
• Device types
– Collimator
– Cone
– Diaphragm
Body Habitus
Sthenic shape – average, most radiographic technique charts are based on this
shape.
Hyposthenic shape – thin shape