Due to the tendency to correlate a lack of noise with image quality, combined with the high dynamic range of digital imaging, exposure factors in digital imaging will sometimes increase in clinical practice, this is known as 'dose creep' 4. Overexposed images will have a distinct lack of quantum mottle while appearing ‘saturated’ or in extreme cases ‘burnt out’ whereby anatomy is completely obliterated from the radiograph. Underexposure errors often occur at the radiographers ends, choosing an inappropriately low exposure (low mAs) for a patient’s examination, or an examination type on the workstation.ĭue to the high dynamic range in digital imaging, overexposure is slightly more challenging to identify. In the clinical context, an underexposed chest x-ray will appear 'grainy,' and display poor penetration of the mediastinal structures leading to an inaccurate representation of anatomy. Underexposed images are easy to identify, they contain quantum mottle (noise), appear under-penetrated and often are deemed to be undiagnostic. In contemporary practice, digital radiography has replaced film technology, and with that, a more forgiving, higher dynamic range 3. Put simply dynamic range is the series of exposure values that will result in a radiographic image narrow dynamic range equals a smaller window of optimal exposures 2. Traditionally, general radiography utilized film technology with a limited dynamic range, in which under or overexposed films either develop ‘too dark’ or ‘too light' 1.
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