Artifacts in Digital Radiography

Abstract

Digital radiography is becoming more prevalent in veterinary medicine, and with its increased use has come the recognition of a number of artifacts. Artifacts in digital radiography can decrease image quality and mask or mimic pathologic changes. They can be categorized according to the step during which they are created and include preexposure, exposure, postexposure, reading, and workstation artifacts. The recognition and understanding of artifacts in digital radiography facilitates their reduction and decreases misinterpretation. The purpose of this review is to name, describe the appearance, identify the cause, and provide methods of resolution of artifacts in digital radiography.

Identification and effects of common errors and artifacts on the perceived quality of radiographs

“…However, underexposed digital images have quantum mottle, which yields an overall grainy appearance of images (Figure 2). [22][23][24] The effects of overexposure in digital radiographic images are similar to the effects of such exposure on film radiographic images; images appear dark and contrast is low, which cannot be compensated with window or level adjustments. Use of digital radiography may yield improvements in image quality, compared with film radiography; however, good radiographic technique is essential with either method.…”

Common artefacts and pitfalls in equine computed and digital radiography and how to avoid them

“…Identification and, if possible, correction of an artefact is crucial for correct interpretation (Jiménez et al . ).…”

“…An artefact is described as a portion of an image that masks or mimics a clinical feature, impairs the image quality or obscures abnormalities (Oestman et al 1991;Willis et al 2004;Drost et al 2008). Identification and, if possible, correction of an artefact is crucial for correct interpretation (Jim enez et al 2008).…”

“…With some DR detectors, it is possible to identify multiple symmetrical rectangular structures of varying grey shades, in the image, when the plate becomes saturated. This represents planking and each of these areas represents a region of the detector processed by a different amplifier (Jim enez et al 2008). When correct exposure is used, an inbuilt process of calibration is applied; the DR software performs a pixel map of the entire detector plate, recognises variations and then applies corrections for these slight differences in the resting values for individual amplifiers.…”

An Update on Diagnostic Imaging Techniques in Veterinary Practice

“…During this conversion, however, some information loss may occur due to quantization and sampling. Quantization loss results due to continuous nature of analog signal while digital image has finite limit, thus digital image represents the rounded-off form of analog signal, though, in medical imaging these information losses are very minute (Jimenez et al, 2008). The physical principals of digital radiography (DR) do not differ from conventional projection radiography (screen-film radiography).…”