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Scatter Control & Grid Use

This document discusses methods to control scatter radiation and the use of grids in radiography. It describes how scatter is produced and factors that affect scatter such as kVp and irradiated material volume. Methods to control scatter include beam restriction using devices like cones and collimators. Grids are also used to absorb scatter, and the document discusses grid construction, types, ratios and errors in grid use. The purpose of controlling scatter is to improve image quality and reduce patient dose.

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672 views27 pages

Scatter Control & Grid Use

This document discusses methods to control scatter radiation and the use of grids in radiography. It describes how scatter is produced and factors that affect scatter such as kVp and irradiated material volume. Methods to control scatter include beam restriction using devices like cones and collimators. Grids are also used to absorb scatter, and the document discusses grid construction, types, ratios and errors in grid use. The purpose of controlling scatter is to improve image quality and reduce patient dose.

Uploaded by

manikantatss
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Scatter Control

&
Grid Use

Denise Ogilvie
October 2007
Objectives
 Identify factors that affect the amount of
scatter radiation produced
 Describe methods used to control the
amount of scatter radiation
 Describe the effect of beam restriction on
image quality and patient dose
 Compare advantages and disadvantages of
different beam restricting devises
Objectives
 Describe the purpose of a grid
 Explain the construction of a grid, including
materials used, grid ratio and grid frequency
 Differentiate between parallel and focused grids,
stationary and moving grids
 Calculate changes in technical factors to
compensate for changes in grid selection
 Be able to identify common errors made when
using a grid on an image
 Know when to use a grid and when not to use.
Scatter Radiation
 Scatter is radiation which is changed in
direction as a result of interaction with some
medium.
 Some of the photon’s energy is absorbed,
leaving the resultant photon with a change
in its direction and with less energy
 These scattered photons are detrimental to
contrast of the image and also increase the
patient dose
Scatter Radiation
 Other sources of scatter
– materials beyond the
image receptor – table
top – may cause scatter
to go back to the image.
 Two primary factors
affecting the amount of
scatter produced –kvp
and the irradiated
material
Scatter Radiation
 Kvp

 Affects the penetrability of the beam.


 Higher kVp, more photons go through
patient to the IR, less absorbed by patient,
higher scatter and less contrast on image
 Lower the kVp, increase in dose absorbed
by patient, less fog on film, more contrasty
image
Scatter Radiation
 Irradiated Material

 Amount of scatter affected by volume and


atomic number of irradiated material
 Volume is controlled by field size and patient
thickness
 Increase in volume if field size increases
and patient thickness increases.
Scatter Radiation
 To reduce scatter – smallest field size,
compression of body part
 The higher the atomic number of the
material the greater the absorption of
photons and the less scatter eg bone
compared to soft tissue
Scatter Radiation
Scatter Radiation
 Beam Restriction

 Aperture diaphragms, cones/cylinders,


collimators – 3 types of beam restricting
devices to control scatter and reduce patient
dose
Scatter Radiation
 Aperture Diaphragm
 Simplest, low cost
 Flat piece of lead with
hole (of different sizes)
 Slides into slot at bottom
of collimator
 Some resultant
penumbra
Scatter Radiation
 Cones and Cylinders
 Similar to diaphragm
with extension cone or
cylinder
 Slides into slot bottom
of collimator
 Reduces penumbra
Scatter Radiation
Scatter Radiation
 Collimater
 More complex, most
commonly used form of
beam restriction
 Set of adjustable lead
shutters
 Light & mirror to show
area of beam and
collimation
Scatter Radiation

 The bevelled edges of


lead diaphragm
compared to vertical
edge.
Radiographic Grids
 A device to absorb scatter radiation before it
strikes the IR
 Made of thin Pb strips interspaced with
radiolucent material – usually aluminium
 Frequency – number of lines per inch or cm
eg 60 lines per inch
 Grids with higher frequency have thinner Pb
strips – better for stationary grids so you
don’t see the lines
 The more Pb the better the scatter reduction
Radiographic Grids
 Types
 Parallel – Pb & interspace running parallel to
one another
 Focused – central strips parallel, then
become more angled as you move away
from the centre – angle matching that of
divergent rays – allows more transmitted
photons to reach the IR
Radiographic Grids
 Crossed grid – 2
parallel grids on top of
each other.
 May be parallel or
focused
Radiographic Grids
 Focal range –
recommended SID for
that particular grid.
 For parallel grid focal
range is from certain
SID to infinity –
function better at
longer SID
Radiographic Grids
 Grid Ratio
 Ratio of height of Pb
lines to distance
between them
 Grid ratio increases,
contrast increases
Radiographic Grids
 The higher the grid
ratio the more
exposure is required
Radiographic Grids
 Potter Bucky – moving
grid for better scatter
clean up and improved
image quality
 Grid is moved during
the exposure to blur
out grid lines.
 Movement must
commence before
exposure can be made
Radiographic Grids
 Air gap technique
 Between patient and film
 Eliminates need of grid
 Gap of at least 15cm –
increase SID to reduce
magnification
 The scatter from the body
does not hit the IR
Radiographic Grids
 Grid Errors
 Upside down grid –
peripheral grid cut off
with a focus grid
 Check front of grid –
upper side has line
down centre indicating
direction of grid lines
Radiographic Grids
 Off centre – tube not
centred to middle of
grid.
 Result in decrease in
exposure across entire
image and visible grid
lines
 The greater the
decentering the
greater the grid cut off
Radiographic Grids
 Off level grid – tube
angled across long
axis of Pb strips
 Show grid lines with
decrease in exposure
on image
References

 Burns, E, Radiographic imaging a guide for producing


quality images, Saunders 1992 1st edn
 Carlton, R, Adler, A, Principles of radiographic imaging an
art and a science, 4th edn
 Fauber, T, Radiographic imaging & exposure, 2000
 Kodak, The fundementals of radiography,11th edn
 Stockley, S, A manual of radiographic equipment,1st edn,
1986

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