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Understanding Accession Numbers in Radiology

This glossary defines key terms related to digital radiography systems. It includes definitions for components like the Bucky, detector, generator, and collimator. Exposure factors such as kVp, mA, and mAs are also defined. Imaging concepts like views, studies, and visits are summarized. The glossary provides concise explanations of over 30 important radiology and imaging terms.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
24 views4 pages

Understanding Accession Numbers in Radiology

This glossary defines key terms related to digital radiography systems. It includes definitions for components like the Bucky, detector, generator, and collimator. Exposure factors such as kVp, mA, and mAs are also defined. Imaging concepts like views, studies, and visits are summarized. The glossary provides concise explanations of over 30 important radiology and imaging terms.

Uploaded by

Richard Gomez
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

APPENDIX

Glossary

Accession Number: In DICOM, a term to uniquely identify a visit to a site by a


patient. The meaning and use of accession numbers is not
consistent in medical information. The Digital Radiography
System uses the DICOM definition of the term.

Antiscatter Grid: Device used to prevent the radiation scattered within the patient
from reaching the Digital Radiography Detector and fogging it.

AEC: Automatic Exposure Control.

AP: Anterior/Posterior view position for X-ray exposure.

Artifact: Changes to an image due to outside influences such as defective


pixels or Digital Radiography Detector scan lines.

Autoclave: The process of disinfecting articles by heating them with


pressurized steam.

Automatic Exposure Ion chamber within the Bucky. Used to terminate X-ray when
image density is achieved by measuring the amount of dosage
Control(AEC): occurring at the Digital Radiography Detector and providing
feedback to the X-ray Generator to stop the exposure.

Bucky: The component that houses the Digital Radiography Detector,


AEC, moving grid, and related components. In the Digital
Radiography System, the Bucky contains the Digital Radiography
Detector instead of the conventional film cassette.

Collimator: The Collimator regulates the size and shape of the X-ray beam to
accurately localize the area of interest on the patient, while

Appendix1
Glossary

reducing overall patient irradiation exposure.

CPU: Central Processing Unit of the Digital Radiography Operating


Console.

Diagnostic X-ray An X-ray system designed for irradiation of any part of the human
System: body for the purpose of diagnosis or visualization.

DICOM: Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM).An


industry standard specification for interconnection of medical
imaging equipment. Digital Radiography Operating Console.

DROC: The Digital Radiography System component that houses the PC


(where the user interface runs), and the uninterruptible power
supply (UPS). It also stores the Digital Radiography Operating
Console Application, the user-interface for the system.

Detector: A flat panel that receives the X-ray image and converts it to digital
information. The Digital Radiography Detector replaces
conventional X-ray film and cassettes.

Direct Radiography A term used to distinguish the use of a photoconductor-based


(DR): method as opposed to the X-ray capture and conversion method
used in a scintillator or phosphor-based detector.

DR: Direct Radiography/Digital Radiography

ESA: Exam Specific Algorithm. Algorithm used to optimize raw image


data for a particular type of exam.

Focal Distance: The distance from the source of the X-rays to the patient.

Generator: Device that supplies power to and controls the X-ray tube.

HIS: Hospital Information System

Hospital Information In a hospital, the computer system that tracks patient demographic
information, visit information, and other patient records.
System(HIS):

Image Artifact: Non-desirable qualities on a printed image.

Appendix2 DROC User Manual


Glossary

Kvp: Peak kilo-volts. The highest energy of X-rays emitted by an X-ray


tube (equal to the peak applied tube voltage).

Lateral: Possible view position for X-ray exposure.

Look-Up Table(LUT): A table of values used to convert raw image data to output data for
a specific ESA setting.

LUT: Look-Up Table.

mA: Milliamperes.

mAs: Milliampere-seconds. Combined with kVp, it indicates the dose of


X-rays.

Oblique: Possible view position for X-ray exposure.

Operating The basic software control system of the PC.


System(OS):

PA: Posterior/Anterior view position for X-ray exposure.

Procedure: A predefined collection of images (views) for X-ray exposure.

RIS: Radiology Information System.

SID: Source to Image Distance.

Source to Image The distance from the source of the X-rays to the detector.
Distance(SID):

Study: A specific instance of a procedure consisting of a set of X-ray


images.

Technique Factor: Any of the parameters describing the properties of an X-ray beam,
including beam energy (kVp), beam intensity (mA), exposure
(mAs), duration (seconds), and, at times, the Source to Image
Distance (SID).

View: Prescription for the technique factors and geometric arrangement


of the X-ray source, patient, and image sensor that yields and

DROC User Manual Appendix3


Glossary

image of organs of interest seen on a specific orientation.

Visit: A set of studies identified in a locally unique manner and performed


on a particular patient at a particular site for a particular reason. A
visit is normally identified by an accession number or a Visit ID and
is associated with a diagnosis.

Appendix4 DROC User Manual

Common questions

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Integrating a Hospital Information System (HIS) with DICOM standards enhances patient care by enabling seamless and standardized data exchange across different medical imaging devices and hospital departments. This integration facilitates efficient retrieval of patient information, reduces errors, ensures consistent record keeping, and improves the quality and continuity of care for patients .

The Antiscatter Grid is used to prevent radiation that is scattered within the patient from reaching the Digital Radiography Detector, thereby avoiding the fogging of images. By limiting scattered radiation, it enhances image clarity and diagnostic value .

The use of peak kilovoltage (kVp) as a technique factor offers advantages such as controlling the beam's penetration power and affecting image contrast. High kVp reduces image contrast and is useful for examining dense body parts, whereas low kVp offers higher contrast for soft tissue imaging. However, managing kVp also involves balancing patient radiation dose; excessive kVp can lead to unnecessary patient exposure and reduced image quality due to over-penetration .

The DROC provides the central processing unit that runs the digital radiography operating console application and the user interface. It integrates with the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and ensures that the system remains operational even in power outages. This coordination is crucial for uninterrupted imaging services .

The Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) optimizes X-ray image quality by terminating the X-ray exposure once the required image density is achieved. This is accomplished by measuring the amount of radiation dosage at the Digital Radiography Detector and providing feedback to the X-ray generator. As a result, AEC plays a critical role in maintaining consistent image quality while minimizing patient exposure to radiation, enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and patient safety .

Direct Radiography systems improve medical imaging efficiency by using photoconductor-based methods that directly convert X-rays into digital signals, bypassing the need for film development. This transition from conventional film to digital processing reduces image acquisition time, enables immediate image availability, facilitates better image analysis, and streamlines workflow in medical settings .

Selecting geometric arrangements involves prescribing the technique factors and spatial orientation of the X-ray source, patient, and image sensor to acquire optimal images. Considerations include the target organ, patient's physical limitations or condition, minimization of radiation exposure, and maximizing diagnostic value based on the clinical question being answered .

Look-Up Tables (LUTs) assist in enhancing diagnostic utility by converting raw image data to output data specific to different Exam Specific Algorithm (ESA) settings. This conversion is crucial for optimizing images based on the type of examination being performed, which aids in clearer visualization and more accurate diagnoses .

Source to Image Distance (SID) affects image magnification and geometric distortion. A longer SID generally reduces magnification and distortion, leading to sharper images with less anatomical distortion. Adjusting the SID appropriately is crucial in ensuring optimal image quality for diagnostic purposes .

An autoclave is used to disinfect medical articles by heating them with pressurized steam. This process is significant in medical imaging environments as it ensures that equipment is free of pathogens, thereby maintaining a sterile environment which is essential for patient safety and preventing infections .

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