Radiographic films can contain artifacts that interfere with diagnosis. There are three periods when artifacts can occur: during exposure, processing, or handling before processing. Exposure artifacts include poor screen-film contact or grid use, double exposure, and patient motion. Processing artifacts result from issues like dirty rollers, chemical fog, guide shoe or roller marks. Handling and storage artifacts include light or radiation fog from improper safelighting, kink marks from improper handling, and static effects from electron buildup. Artifacts must be minimized to accurately diagnose from radiographic images.

1. Radiographic Film
Artifacts

2. What Is An Artifact?
Any optical density
that is not anatomy
An unwanted
density on the
radiograph
Interferes with
diagnosis

3. There Are Three Time Periods In
Which Artifacts Can Occur
1 1 3+ =
During exposure
During processing
During film handling,
prior to processing,
loading cassette, or
storing

4. Exposure Artifacts
Poor screen-film contact
Improper use/positioning of a grid
Double exposure
Patient motion
Poor patient preparation
– Clothing, jewelery, glasses, belts, etc.

5. Processing Artifacts
Dirty Rollers
– Will leave deposits on film
– Areas of increased or reduced density
– Occasionally some sludge may not be
washed off and dried onto the film
Chemical Fog
– Improper or inadequate chemistry
– Leaves a uniform dull gray haze on the film
– May also be seen in two different colors
• Referred to as dichroic stain

6. Guide Shoe and Roller Marks
Guide shoes are sprung or improperly
positioned
– The ridges in the guide shoe press against
the film leaving an artifact
Pi-lines
– Dirt or stain on a roller
– 3.14 inches apart
Pressure marks
– Irregular or dirty rollers
• Small, circular patterns are produced

7. Handling And Storage Artifacts
Light or Radiation Fog
– White light streaks
– Safelight too close or wrong wattage
– Film left in x-ray room during exposure

8. Kink Marks
Improper handling or storage
Appears as a fingernail mark

9. Static
Caused by buildup of electrons in the
emulsion
Three types of static artifacts
– Crown
– Tree
– Smudge

10. Hypo Retention
Yellowish stain that appears on finished
radiograph
Due to inadequate washing
Remaining thiosulfate from fixer
solution

11. FILMS STUCK TO EACH OTHER
DURING PROCESSING

12. HYPORETENTION

13. PI-LINE

14. GUIDE SHOE MARK

15. STATIC

16. STATIC

17. STATIC

18. ROLLER MARKS

19. FINGER MARKS

20. CRIMPING MARK

21. CRIMPING MARK

22. PICK-OFF

23. WATER STAIN

24. WATER STAIN

25. WATER STAIN

26. MOTION

27. POOR FILM SCREN
CONTACT

28. ARTIFACT????

29. H.T. (high Voltage) CABLES

30. ROTATION + FOG

31. ANTOMY OF INTEREST NOT
SHOWN

32. DOUBLE EXPOSURE

33. BACKSCATTER OR CASSETTE
UPSIDE-DOWN

34. BACKSCATTER

35. BACKSCATTER OR CASSETTE
UPSIDE-DOWN

36. MOIRE EFFECT

37. WARPED CASSETTE-LIGHT
LEAK

38. TWO FILMS IN THE CASSETTE
UNDEREXPOSURE

39. POWDER

40. DEODORANT

41. HAIR BUN

42. CLOTHES RIBBING

43. TUBE

44. HAIR STREAKING

45. GRID CUT-OFF

46. JEWELLERY

47. HEARING AID

48. LIGHTER IN THE POCKET

49. SCATTER FOG

50. SANDBAG

51. UMBILICAL RING

52. AIR IN THE VENTRICLES
AIRHEAD?????

53. PLASTER

54. DIRT ON THE SCREEN

55. PATHOLOGY

56. FOGGING

57. GRID CUT-OFF

58. KYPHOSIS-CHIN

59. STRAP

60. SCRATCHES

61. STATIC

62. In CT Scan Artifacts

63. Intra Uterine Device

64. Chole clips

65. Earring Artifact

66. MRI artifacts

67. Patient Movements