chapter 11 Technical Artifacts and Errors: Case Studies
Artifact: Anything that decreases the quality of the radiograph resulting in difficult evaluation and interpretation.
INTRODUCTION
Radiographic artifacts are a menace to any radiographer. A radiograph is often marred by artifacts resulting from a number of causes. An artifact not only decreases the quality of the radiograph but may also lead to a misdiagnosis. The radiographer is responsible for recognizing the error and correcting it. This chapter introduces the reader to many possible artifacts and challenges the reader’s ability to identify common film faults. Table 11-1 lists common artifacts and their causes. The radiographer should become familiar with this list and understand how to prevent these artifacts from occurring.
TABLE 11-1 COMMON ARTIFACTS AND THEIR CAUSES
| ARTIFACT | CAUSE |
|---|---|
| Film too dark | |
| Film too light | Underdevelopment due to decreased temperature or time of development, developer exhausted or diluted |
| Film gray/lack of contrast | |
| Lack of detail | |
| Heavy lines on radiograph (generalized) | |
| Inconsistent film density | |
| Black marks (not generalized) | |
| Clear areas on film (white marks;not generalized) | |
| Yellow radiograph |
If an artifact consistently appears on radiographs, the cassette should be isolated and the screens cleaned and examined for damage. If the fault is persistent, the cassette should be labeled “faulty screens.” However, if the damage could lead to a misdiagnosis, the screens should be discarded and replaced.
After examining the list of artifacts in Table 11-1, read through the following case studies and try to determine the cause and correction of the artifacts before looking at the answers.
EXAMINE THE RADIOGRAPH IN FIGURE 11-2
If the processing solutions are expired or are too cold, or if the film is developed for an insufficient length of time, a radiograph such as the one in Figure 11-2 can result. Strict adherence to the standard processing procedure designated for the radiographic film being used and changing the solutions on a regular basis will prevent poor-quality radiographs.
