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Fluoroscopy: Recording of Fluoroscopic Images and Automatic Exposure Control¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Box 292, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. From the AAPM/RSNA Physics Tutorial at the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received August 14, 2000; revision requested August 18 and received August 25; accepted August 29. Address correspondence to the author (e-mail: geise001@tc.umn.edu).

Some means of recording images is a necessary part of most fluoroscopic systems. Several methods are available for recording images during fluoroscopy. Screen-film recording methods such as use of spot film devices and automatic film changers provide high-spatial-resolution images. Recording images by using the image intensifier (fluorography) provides film or digital images at relatively lower doses but with poorer spatial resolution. Digitally recorded images have better contrast resolution than analog images but lower spatial resolution and represent a compromise between dose and image quality. Motion picture (cine fluorographic) recording requires extremely high dose rates compared with those of lower-resolution videotape recording of motion. Recording systems in fluoroscopy require automatic exposure control for optimum image quality. The same feedback system used to control fluorographic exposures can be used to control exposure rates during fluoroscopy as well. Automatic brightness control maintains intensifier exposure rates on the basis of subject thickness by adjusting various technique factors. The type of control mechanism depends on the imaging task and the complexity (age and cost) of the equipment. The operator can choose between better image quality (higher contrast) or lower radiation dose.

Index Terms: Fluoroscopy • Physics • Radiography