Artifact analysis

Artifact analysis Artifact analysisOne of the causes of rejected images listed in the repeat analysis worksheet is the presence of image artifacts.An artifact can contribute significantly to the total repeat rate; therefore a thorough knowledge of artifacts and their possible causes is necessary so that corrective action can be taken.What Is An Artifact?

Any optical density that is not anatomyAn unwanted density on the radiographInterferes with diagnosisThere Are Three Time Periods In Which Artifacts Can Occur

During exposureDuring processingDuring film handling, prior to processing, loading cassette, or storingExposure ArtifactsThey are caused by the patient, the technologist, or the equipment during a diagnostic procedurePoor screen-film contactImproper use/positioning of a gridDouble exposurePatient motionPoor patient preparationClothing, jewelery, glasses, belts, etc.Processing ArtifactsThey are caused by or occur during the processing of diagnostic imagesDirty RollersWill leave deposits on filmAreas of increased or reduced densityOccasionally some sludge may not be washed off and dried onto the filmChemical FogImproper or inadequate chemistryLeaves a uniform dull gray haze on the filmMay also be seen in two different colorsReferred to as dichroic stainGuide Shoe and Roller MarksGuide shoes are sprung or improperly positionedThe ridges in the guide shoe press against the film leaving an artifactPi-linesDirt or stain on a roller3.14 inches apartPressure marksIrregular or dirty rollersSmall, circular patterns are producedHypo RetentionYellowish stain that appears on finished radiographDue to inadequate washingRemaining thiosulfate from fixer solutionHandling And Storage ArtifactsThey occur during darkroom handling or during storage before use.Light or Radiation FogWhite light streaksSafelight too close or wrong wattageFilm left in x-ray room during exposureKink MarksImproper handling or storageAppears as a fingernail markStaticCaused by buildup of electrons in the emulsionThree types of static artifactsCrownTreeSmudgeProcessing ArtifactsFILMS STUCK TO EACH OTHER DURING PROCESSING

HYPORETENTION

ROLLER MARKS

PI-LINE

GUIDE SHOE MARK

WATER STAIN

Handling ArtifactsSTATIC (Tree Static)

STATIC (Crown Static)

STATIC (Smudge Static

FINGER MARKS

CRIMPING MARK

CRIMPING MARK

PICK-OFF

WATER STAIN

WATER STAIN

Exposure ArtifactsMOTION

POOR FILM SCREN CONTACT

ARTIFACT????

H.T. (high Voltage) CABLES

ROTATION + FOG

DOUBLE EXPOSURE

BACKSCATTER OR CASSETTE UPSIDE-DOWN

BACKSCATTER

BACKSCATTER OR CASSETTE UPSIDE-DOWN

MOIRE EFFECT

Are artifacts also called zebra pattern ArtifactIt is a double set of grid lines caused by the placement of a grid cassette in a Bucky tray.WARPED CASSETTE-LIGHT LEAK

HAIR BUN

CLOTHES RIBBING

TUBE

HAIR STREAKING

GRID CUT-OFF

JEWELLERY

HEARING AID

LIGHTER IN THE POCKET

SCATTER FOG

SANDBAG

UMBILICAL RING

AIR IN THE VENTRICLESAIRHEAD?????

PLASTER

DIRT ON THE SCREEN

PATHOLOGY

FOGGING

KYPHOSIS-CHIN

STRAP

SCRATCHES

STATIC

In CT Scan ArtifactsIntra Uterine Device

Chole clips

Earring Artifact

MRI artifactsPatient Movements