VSUR65 VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING LABORATORY

INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY ▪ Low mAs are used since not as many

RADIOGRAPHY is needed

Thickness Thorax Abdomen Spine

BASIC CONCEPTS IN MAKING RADIOGRAPH Cm kVp mAs kVp mAs kVp mAs
Main Components of Xray Exposure 9 83 3 60 15 45 40
• Kilovoltage peak (kVp) 10 86 3 62 15 47 40
11 89 3 64 15 49 40
o Gives variable “speed” to the electrons
12 92 3 66 15 51 40
determining the penetration of the xray 13 82 6 68 15 53 40
beam 14 85 6 70 15 55 40
o Affects the efficiency of xray production 15 88 6 72 15 57 40
o Determines the scale of contrast in the 16 91 6 74 15 59 40
image 17 94 6 76 15 61 40
▪ ↑kVp, ↓contrast 18 97 6 78 15 63 40
19 100 6 80 15 65 40
o Quality of the xrays
20 104 6 83 15 67 40
o Increase kVP → increased penetrating 21 108 6 86 15 69 40
power of xray beam 22 112 6 89 15 71 40
o Too Low kVP: 23 116 6 92 15 73 40
▪ Lack density 24 120 6 95 15 75 40
▪ Whitewashed appearance 25 124 6 98 15 77 40
o Too high kVP:
▪ Overexposed Underexposure / Overexposure
▪ Too dark • UNDEREXPOSURE
• Milliampere seconds (mAs) o Less penetration of the x-ray beam
o Determines the number of xrays produced through the patient’s tissues
per unit time o White or light radiographs/ whitewashed
o the number of xrays reaching the film appearance
determines the degree of blackening of o Increased “noise” ie. cloudiness, mottled
the film areas, or stripes
o Quantity of xrays • OVEREXPOSURE
o Rules on mAs o areas of the image become completely
▪ mAs is directly proportional to patient black and devoid of visible anatomy
exposure rate o usually first appreciated at the thinnest
▪ In order to make a perceivable change or least dense portion of the patient
in an image, mAs must be adjusted by
at least 30%
▪ mAs is responsible for the density of
the film and controls how many x-ray
photons are produced by the x-ray
tube.
o Limbs
▪ Bone as structure of interest
▪ relatively low kVp (60-70) is sufficient
to penetrate the bone and soft tissue
▪ to provide the film blackening
needed, relatively high mAs will be RADIATION SAFETY AND GENERAL
needed GUIDELINES
o Thorax #1 REMINDER
▪ large variation in the types of tissue • Check patient identification
present o Consider similar animal breeds
▪ Higher kVP is desirable to distinguish o Always double check with the owner
variety of contrast
 VSUR65 VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING LABORATORY
NOTE ON REPEAT RADIOGRAPHS
• 1 repeat radiograph = additional radiation
dose to both patient and operator
o Check patient position
o DO NOT TAKE THE EXPOSURE if
correct positioning has been changed
o View the previous radiograph before
taking the orthogonal view
Reduction of exposure – CLOSE COLLIMATION
decreases patient and operator’s exposure dose
Patient Restraint
• Sedation
• Use of approved mechanical restraining
devices
• Use of lead apron, thyroid shield, and gloves
o Shielding
Occupational Dose Limits
• WHOLE BODY (annual): 5000 mRem/ yr
• DOSE TYPICAL TO TECHS: <100/yr
• PREGNANT:
o must be limited to 500mRem per 9
months
Lead Shield Care
• store on hangers to prevent cracks in the
protective lead
• do not fold or crease
• periodically inspect for damages
ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable
Adapting good safety practices every use, to keep
operator’s and patient’s radiation dose as low as
possible
PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
• radiant energy w/ short wavelengths
penetrating tissues
• absorbed and attenuated by tissue, pass
through the tissue and interact with, and
expose the x-ray film
• absorption w/i tissue, function of atomic
number and thickness
o higher atomic number absorbs more
radiation
o thicker tissue and objects absorb more
radiation
o more tissue absorption → less amount
exposing film → more radiopaque film
image
• x-ray film displays range of densities, white to
black
• resultant film densities form image on
radiograph that is recognizable in form
o interpreted and utilized as diagnostic aid
Radiographic Projections
Radiographic Projection Abbreviations
• Left (L)
• Right (R)
• Dorsal (D)
• Ventral (V)
• Medial (M)
• Lateral (L)
 VSUR65 VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING LABORATORY

• Cranial (Cr) Radiographic Interpretation

• Rostral (R) • Patient Clinical Information
• Caudal (Cd) • Accurate positioning, proper radiographic
• Palmar (Pa) technique
• Oblique (O) • Identification and categorization of
• Plantar (Pl) radiographic abnormalities
• Dorsoventral
• Ventrodorsal Roentgen Signs
• Right Lateral/ LL-RL/ LR Lateral • Location
• Mediolateral • Margination
• Craniocaudal • Number
• Dorsopalmar • Opacity
• Dorsolateral Palmaromedial Oblique/ • Shape
DLPMO/ DLPaMO • Size
• Dorsoproximolateralpalmaro distomedial
oblique view of the equine distal phalanx Orthogonal Views
made at 50’to the supporting surface and 45’ • Images taken at 90 degrees to each other
lateral to the dorsopalmar line • Allows better interpretation

THE XRAY MACHINE: FUJI CR VETERINARY

XRAY MACHINE

Radiographic Contrast Studies

• Evaluation of anatomy or integrity of an
organ or structure
• Confirmation of suspected diagnosis
• Qualitative evaluation of organs
• Types Of Contrast Media
o Positive Contrast Radiopaque
▪ Insoluble salts of heavy metals
▪ Organic iodinated Compound
o Negative Contrast Radiolucent
▪ Air
▪ Oxygen
▪ Carbon dioxide
▪ Nitrous oxide