MAKING AN EXPOSURE CHART

GARRY D. LASAGA
KVp
 A high voltage current, measured in kV is required
to speed the electrons from cathode to anode.
 The higher the kV, the greater the energy released
when they hit the target.
 High kV has x-rays of short wavelength and greater
penetration.
KVp
 The denser the area to be x-rayed, the higher the
kV needs to be:
 i.e. Horse pelvis – use high kV (approx. 120 kV),
cat’s pelvis – use low kV (approx 55 kV).
mA
 Duringexposure the current across the tube is
measured in milliamperes and depends upon the
number of electrons crossing from cathode to
anode.
 Thisis directly related to the current supplied to
heat the filament.
mA
 When you change the mA, you alter the
temperature of the filament and the number of
electrons released (thermionic emission).
 Theamount of x-rays produced during exposure is
also dependent on the length of time of the
exposure.
mA
 mA controls the blackness on a radiograph BUT an
increase in mAs will not darken an area that is not
penetrated.
 Ifthe ROI anatomy is white on the radiograph or
you can not see the bony detail (trabeculae) then it
essential that you increase the kV.
kV & mA
 kV and mA are inter-related - they are inversely
proportional.
 Ifyou increase one you must reduce the other to
achieve a similar radiograph.
kV & mA & time
A radiographic image is a result of a compromise
between the kV, mA and time.
 Thisis made obvious in some of the small portables
used in vet practice that have the kV and mA on
the same control.
kV & mA & time
A high kV is linked with a low mA.
 So if a high kV is needed for penetration, and
a high mAs is needed for density then a
longer time setting is needed to achieve the
necessary mAs.
Summary of Exposure
Factors

GARRY D. LASAGA
kV
 The correct kV must be chosen for the thickness
and density of the area of interest eg, the thorax
and abdomen may be the same thickness, but the
density of the areas is quite different – air-filled
lungs as opposed to soft organ structures of the
abdomen.
 The kV is mainly responsible for penetration and for
radiographic contrast.
kV
 If the kV is low the radiograph will have high a
contrast; which is needed when viewing bones in
extremities.
 Using low kV results in a radiograph that has high
contrast.
 That means that there is a large difference between
adjacent grey shades and a fewer number of shades
from the black to white (short latitude).
kV
 Withshort scale latitude, only a few tissue densities
can be evaluated.
 Thatworks very well when extremity examinations are
done.
 The ROI is usually limited to evaluating bone & joint
detail for pathology or to soft tissue muscle for possible
foreign bodies, etc.
kV
 Higher kV levels are required to penetrate body
parts that are of greater thickness or density.
 High
kV provides a radiograph with a lower contrast
image (more shades of grey with less difference
between them).
kV
A larger range of tissues can be evaluated because
there is longer latitude.
 HigherkV is necessary to visualise a longer range
of shades of grey (long latitude) for chest and
abdominal radiographs.
mA
 Responsible only for the density or blackening of
the film.
 Ifthe region of interest appears white, and no bony
detail can be seen the radiograph is
underpenetrated (too little kV).
 Increasing the mAs will not penetrate the part!
mA
 If the mAs is too low (underexposed) the
background of the radiograph may appear pale
grey rather than black because to few photons
have reached the film.
 If the anatomy is penetrated; (a shade of grey)
then an increase in mAs will achieve a darker
image.
mA
 Ittakes a 30% change in mAs to make a significant
change of an image.
 If the mAs is too high, the background will be very
black & dense but the bone cortex bone will still be
visible.
Rule of Thumb (mAs)
 2X mAs doubles the density on the radiograph
 2X the mAs also doubles the patient dose
Rule of Thumb (kV)
 + 15% kV is equivalent to + mAs X2
 i.e. if you add 15% to kV the radiographic density will
double
(remember changing the kV also changes the radiographic
contrast)
 e.g: to keep the same film density:
 If you use 65 kV and 20 mAs; then if you use 75 kv you‟d
use 10mAs
 OVERPENETRATION:
kV TOO HIGH

The effect of increasing the kV

(penetration) & keeping the
mAs constant

(the cortex of the bone is

“burnt out”)

Remember: changing the kV

also changes the radiographic
contrast
 OVEREXPOSURE:
TOO MUCH mAs

The effect on film blackening of

altering the
mAs and keeping the kV constant

(note that the cortex is still

apparent even though the
radiograph is too dark)

Remember: mAs does not effect

penetration
Intensity
 s