Procedural Faults, Processing Faults, Artifacts, Film Analysis

Procedural Faults

before or during exposure xray

Procedural Faults

related to setup/positioning

before or during exposure to xrays

Procedural Faults happen

Processing Faults

occur after exposure

Processing Faults

related to chemical development or handling

chemical development or handling

processing faults are related to:

setup/positioning

procedural faults are related to:

1. Double exposure

2. Two films in the cassette

3. Hair bun

4. Clothes ribbing

5. Foreign object on vertebrae

6. Dirt on screen

7. Pressure marks

8. Solarization

9. Falling of lead markers

10. Light Fog

11. Cut off image

(11) Types of procedural faults

Double Exposure

film is exposed twice

Double Image

due to double exposure

Two films in the cassette - underexposure

Two films loaded in the cassette

Hair bun

Hair resembles a tumor mass when tied in a bun causing misdiagnosis

Clothes ribbing

results when patient is not wearing a patient gown

Foreign object on vertebrae

- due to improper physical preparation

- failure to remove jewelries or items that caused artifacts

- failure to comply can be charged with battery

Dirt on screen

obstructs light on the intensifying screen causing artifacts

1. Inspect under white light

2. Clean using cotton and soap

How to clean intensifying screen

Alcohol

Avoid using _______ when cleaning the intensifying screen as it can lessen its lifespan

Pressure marks

results when film box is placed horizontally

Solarization

use of unsafe safelight filter

Falling of lead markers

unsticky tape

Light fog

caused by failure to lock cassette

Cut off image

happens when there is improper collimation and can cause improper density on the film

1. Guide Shoe Mark

2. Entrance Roller Mark

(2) Processing Faults - Artifacts running PARALLEL to film travel to automatic processor

Guide Shoe Mark

- excessive pressure from misaligned guide shoes

- the emulsion is scratched off base

Entrance Roller Mark

- excessive pressure from entrance rollers

- moisture on entrance rollers

1. Hesitation Marks

2. Chatter Marks

3: Pi Line

(3) Processing Faults - Artifacts running PERPENDICULAR to film travel through automatic processor

Hesitation Marks

malfunctioning gears or loose chain; warped rollers

Chatter Marks

- loose drive or chain

- developer to fixer crossover rack assembly

Pi Line

- dirty rollers

- emulsion build up on rollers

- developer solution is too low

- black lines

Guide Shoe Marks: White

Pi Line: Black

Guide Shoe Marks: ___________ streaks

Pi Line: ___________ Lines

1. Water Spot/Stain

2. Pick Off

3. Brown Tint

(3) Random Processing Artifacts

Water Spots/Stain

- malfunctioning squeegee rollers from wash tank

- clogged dryer tube

Pick Off

rough or dirty rollers lifting small pieces of emulsion off base

Brown Tint

- Inadequate film washing

- Exhausted Solution

Yellowish brown discoloration

Exhausted solution or insufficient rinsing can cause:

1. Scratches

2. Static Marks

3. Reticulation

4. Black Spot or Patch

5. Black Lines

6. White Spot or Patch

7. Hyporetention

8. Developer cut off

9. Fixer cut off

10. Crimping Marks

11. Overlapped film

12. Smudge

13. Film stuck to each other during processing

14. Moire Effect

15. Fading Image

16. Frilling

(16) Film Handing Artifacts

Scratches

- dropping of film on floor

- sliding dilm on dirty feed tray

- careless INSERTION of film bin or during cassette loading

Static Marks

- low humidity

- inadequate grounding of workbench

- careless REMOVING of film from cassette or film bin

Reticulation

- film subjected to sudden temperature changes between the developer and water

- if developer is newly mixed

cracked film

reticulation appears as:

Black spot or patch

developer contamination before immersion into the developer solution

Black line

developer contamination processing hanger clips

White spot or patch

Contamination with fixer before processing

Hyporetention

brownish discoloration caused by film being dipped shorter on the FIXING AGENT

Developer cut off

- straight white border, undeveloped area from low developer chemical

- film may not be completely immersed in the developer solution

Fixer cut off

- straight black border

- film is not completely immersed in the developer solution

Developer cut off: White border

Fixer cut off: Black border

cut off border color of developer and fixer:

Overlapped film

failure of separating the films or film overlap during processing

White

films that overlap in the developer are:

Black

films that overlap in the fixer are:

Smudge

when the film is touched by a finger contamination with developer or fixer

Film stuck to each other during processing

caused by film being inserted with short gaps in between insertion in the automatic processor

Crimping Marks

dents in the film caused by fingernails

Moire Effect

- digital artifact

- detectors are not aligned during scanning of imaging plate

Fading Image

overfixing

Frilling

overwashing

1. Technical Factor Problem

2. Procedural Factor Problem

3. Equipment Malfunction Problem

(3) Classification of problems to establish management database:

regularly; radiologic technologist or radiologist

how often should film analysis be done and who conducts them

(total # of rejects) / (total # of films used)

% of rejected film formula:

(total # of poor quality film) / (total # of films used)

% of poor quality film formula:

(total # of good quality film) / (total # of films used)

% of good quality film formula:

Identification

Anatomy

Markings

EXposure

Processing

(A)Esthetic Consideration

Radiation Safety

Trouble Shooting

I AM EXPERT

Esthetic Quality

eye appeal of the radiograph

Artistic Merit

Esthetic quality is also referred to as:

Esthetic Quality/ Artistic Merit

A value that is placed on the excellence of the radiographs general appearance

Esthetic Quality/ Artistic Merit

Alignment and centering of the image