Radiographic Film Artifacts

1
Radiographic Film Artifacts

• DMI 50B
• Kyle Thornton

2
What Is An Artifact?

• Any optical density that is not anatomy
• An unwanted density on the radiograph
• Interferes with diagnosis

3
There Are Three Time Periods In Which Artifacts
Can Occur

• During exposure
• During processing
• During film handling, prior to processing,
  loading cassette, or storing

4
Exposure Artifacts

• Poor screen-film contact
• Improper use/positioning of a grid
• Double exposure
• Patient motion
• Poor patient preparation
• Clothing, jewelery, glasses, belts, etc.

5
Processing Artifacts

• Dirty Rollers
• Will leave deposits on film
• Areas of increased or reduced density
• Occasionally some sludge may not be washed off
  and dried onto the film
• Chemical Fog
• Improper or inadequate chemistry
• Leaves a uniform dull gray haze on the film
• May also be seen in two different colors
• Referred to as dichroic stain

6
Guide Shoe and Roller Marks

• Guide shoes are sprung or improperly positioned
• The ridges in the guide shoe press against the
  film leaving an artifact
• Pi-lines
• Dirt or stain on a roller
• 3.14 inches apart
• Pressure marks
• Irregular or dirty rollers
• Small, circular patterns are produced

7
Handling And Storage Artifacts

• Light or Radiation Fog
• White light streaks
• Safelight too close or wrong wattage
• Film left in x-ray room during exposure

8
Kink Marks

• Improper handling or storage
• Appears as a fingernail mark

9
Static

• Caused by buildup of electrons in the emulsion
• Three types of static artifacts
• Crown
• Tree
• Smudge

10
Hypo Retention

• Yellowish stain that appears on finished
  radiograph
• Due to inadequate washing
• Remaining thiosulfate from fixer solution