Digital Radiography and Fluoroscopy, Image Viewing and PACS, and Quality Control

Radiography Theory

Materials Included

Text
Video
Quiz

This theory module provides an introduction to digital image acquisition, display and storage.

This theory module provides an introduction to digital image acquisition, display and storage. It offers students and practitioners an understanding of the technology involved in digital radiographic imaging and storage systems, including digital fluoroscopy equipment. It also covers quality control and the systematic management of patient radiographic data using PACS. This module is an ideal resource if you are studying for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT) registry exams.

Introduction

Step 1 - Digital radiography

Step 1.1 - Image acquisition

Step 1.2 - Equipment

Step 1.2.1 - Flat-panel detectors

Step 1.3 - Grid

Step 1.4 - Collimation

Step 1.5 - Patient radiation dose

Step 1.6 - Digital mammography

Step 1.7 - Advantages of digital radiography imaging system

Step 2 - Digital fluoroscopy

Step 2.1 - Digital fluoroscopy equipment

Step 2.1.1 - X-ray tube and generator

Step 2.1.2 - Digital fluoroscopy with image intensifier and CCD

Step 2.1.3 - Digital fluoroscopy with flat-panel detector

Step 2.2 - Advantages of flat-panel detectors

Step 2.3 - Digital subtraction angiography

Step 2.3.1 - Digital subtraction equipment

Step 2.3.2 - Image acquisition

Step 2.3.3 - Temporal subtraction

Step 2.3.4 - Energy subtraction

Step 2.3.5 - Roadmapping

Step 2.3.6 - Patient radation dose

Step 2.4 - Post-processing

Step 2.4.1 - Windowing

Step 2.4.2 - Edge enhancement

Step 3 - Digital image viewing and picture archiving and communication system (PACS)

Step 3.1 - Display and viewing of the digital image

Step 3.2 - Photometry

Step 3.3 - Digital display monitor

Step 3.3.1 - Active matrix liquid crystal display

Step 3.3.2 - Advantages of an AMLCD over a CRT

Step 3.3.3 - Disadvantage of an AMLCD over a CRT

Step 3.3.4 - Advantages of soft copy over hard copy images

Step 3.4 - Picture archiving and communication system

Step 3.4.1 - Components of picture archiving and communication system

Step 3.4.2 - Image compression

Step 3.4.3 - PACS workflow

Step 4 - Digital display and imaging system quality control, and artifacts

Step 4.1 - Daily routine checks

Step 4.2 - Weekly checks

Step 4.3 - Monthly checks

Step 4.4 - Digital display quality control

Step 4.4.1 - Luminance testing

Step 4.4.2 - Distortion testing

Step 4.4.3 - Reflection testing

Step 4.4.4 - Luminance response

Step 4.4.5 - Digital display noise

Step 4.5 - Image artifacts

Step 4.5.1 - Computed radiography image receptor artifacts

Describe the capture, coupling, and collection stages of each type of digital radiographic imaging system.
Discuss the use of silicon, selenium, cesium iodide, and gadolinium oxysulphide in digital radiography.
Describe the parts of a digital fluoroscopy system and explain their functions.
Outline the procedures for temporal subtraction and energy subtraction.
Describe the effect of conditions such as luminance and ambient lighting on viewing digital images.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of hard and soft copy images.
Describe the Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) and its function, including differences between the Hospital Information System (HIS), Radiology Information System (RIS), and Digital Imaging and Communications (DICOM).
Describe data flow and networking between systems.
Discuss the systematic management of patient data and errors that may occur in the workflow when utilizing the digital system.
Discuss the quality control test and preventive maintenance schedule used for digital display devices.
Explain how digital image artifacts occur and how to avoid them.
Analyze the use of an image histogram and look-up table (LUT) in digital image artifacts.
Explain the Patient's Bill of Rights, Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA) and Patient Safety Act.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long