1. The document discusses the importance of properly identifying radiographs, including avoiding mix-ups and keeping proper medical records. 2. A range of patient information should be included on radiographs, such as name, date of birth, hospital information, and exam details. 3. There are several methods for recording identification information on radiographs, including opaque markers, perforating devices, actinic markers, and photographic markings. New developments include identification printers and digital radiography systems.

1. Science & Instrumentation III
IDENTIFICATION OF RADIOGRAPHS

2. OBJECTIVES
1. The importance of identification
2. The types/ range of information required
3. Methods of recording information
• Opaque markers and legends
• Actinic markers
• Perforating devices
• Photographic markings
• Identification of dental film
4. Any new developments in this area.

3. THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION

4. IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION
• What is required on a radiograph in addition to adequate demonstration of the
part examined?
Identification.

5. IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION
• To avoid a mix-up of patients examined.
• To keep proper legal medical records.
• To identify information on the radiograph, e.g. anatomic side

6. RANGE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED

7. RANGE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED
• Any radiograph whatsoever should include on it, preferably in indelible form
the following information
1. Full name
2. Date of birth.
3. Hospital number or code.
4. Name of hospital.
5. Date and time of examination

8.  Right or left anatomical side
marker.
 Position of patient or
projection, e.g. PA, RAO,
ERECT, etc.
 Timing of the film in given
sequence, e.g. 5 min, 1 h, etc.
 Number of film in rapid
sequence, e.g. in aortography
 Layer height in tomography.
 Tube angulation used
 Whether mobile or ward
radiograph.
 Miscellaneous information, e.g.
Post micturition , after fatty meal,
etc
RANGE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED

9. RANGE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED
All information, of whatever type, must be added to the film in such away that it
is:
1.Readable when the radiograph is viewed from correct aspect.
2.Not superimposed on any important anatomy.
3.Included within the collimated area.

10. RANGE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED
Miscellaneous information:
1.Radiographer’s or technologist’s identity.
2.The particular cassette or screen used.

11. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

12. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
1. Opaque markers and legends.
2. Perforating devices.
3. Actinic marker.
4. Photographic marking
5. Identification of dental film

13. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Opaque Markers & Legends.
•Lead numbers or letters are placed in a holder or taped directly to the
face of the film holder at the time of film exposure. The lead letters
attenuate the primary x-ray beam so that the film directly under the lead
is unexposed and appears transparent on the radiograph.

14. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Opaque Markers & Legends.
a)Radiopaque legends and letters for use in marking radiograph
b) Marker for radiographs-the upper case letter is incised in a thin piece of metal. The
letter is centered in the lead, mounted in a Perspex plaque.

15. • Anatomical marker suitable for
placing over the edge of a cassette
to record on the film either the right
or left.
• Right (R) and Left (L) marker for
anatomical orientation.
METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

16. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
• Cone radiograph marker may obscured anatomical structures of interest

17. • Accurately hung & marked
radiograph.
• Incorrectly hung PA projection
METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

18. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

19. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

20. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

21. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
• Precaution when using lead letters and legends:
• The character should not be placed where it obscures a feature of diagnostic
importance.
• If the irradiated field is limited by a cone or collimator its useless to place a
marker close to the border of the cassette as it will receive no exposure.

22. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Actinic Marker
Will photograph the details onto
The film after exposure but prior
to processing
Uses a small light source to
photograph the patient details
from a slip onto an unexposed
area of the film for this purpose

23. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Actinic Marker
•The film marker is used to transfer information that has been written or typed on a
piece of paper to an industrial or medical X-ray film.
• The housing contains a light source and electronic regulator assembly.
•The top plate of the housing acts as a film stage.
•Towards the rear of the film stage there is an aperture covered by opal glass.
•The light source is located directly below the aperture.
•Above the aperture is a hinged flap, lined with foam rubber.
•When the flap is pressed down, the light source illuminates for a predetermined
length of time.

24. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION

25. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
• A Kodak X-omatic cassette showing the widow through which patient detail may
be photograph.

26. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Perforating Devices
•Films and other records may be perforated with letters or figures as means of
identification using machines.
•Films are indelibly marked with perforations arranged as characters through the use
of a unique, highly machined, die punch
•Most applicable when a large number of radiographs has to be marked with same
information e.g. hospital name and date of examination.

27. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Advantages
•Permanent identification.
•Is economical in time.
•Shows information neatly and uniformly.
•Reduces the likelihood of error

28. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Photographic Marking
• The information from A is transferred
to a radiograph placed at B.

29. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Film Identification Camera

30. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Dental Film Identification
Film Dot
•Dental film is embossed with a raised dot in one of the corners.
•The convex side of the dot indicates front side of the film.
•The dot is used to identify right from left.
•The convexity of the dot is placed at the occlusal edge and toward the x-ray tube.
The concavity of the dot is placed toward the tongue or palate.
•To determine whether a film is on the right or left side, imagine where the convex
dot is located, and identify the progression of teeth from incisors to molars.

31. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
Dental Film Identification
Film Dot

32. METHODS OF RECORDING INFORMATION
87654321 12345678
87654321 12345678
LR
Upper
Lower

33. NEW DEVELOPMENTS INTHE
IDENTIFICATION OF RADIOGRAPHS

34. NEW DEVELOPMENTS
• Id printers
• CR / DR System

35. REFERENCES
• Easton, S., & Easton, S. (2012). Practical veterinary diagnostic imaging (2nd ed.).
Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Actinic Film Marker. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://
www.ie-ndt.co.uk/actinicfilmmarker.html
• Chapter 12. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://
compepid.tuskegee.edu/syllabi/clinical/small/radiology/chapter12.html