Mark Halverson1, Sabah Servaes. 1. Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. halversonm@email.chop.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The term "radiopaque" is commonly used when discussing foreign bodies and lists of radiopaque and non-radiopaque materials are sometimes created, but radiopacity is not a binary concept. A more fundamental understanding of radiopacity is necessary for the work-up of foreign bodies. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that "radiopaque" is a relative term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty foreign bodies of various sizes, shapes and materials were placed in a basin. Radiographs were obtained of the objects with 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 cm depth of water in the basin to simulate the appearance of a foreign body in human tissue. The progressively changing appearance of the objects was observed. RESULTS: All of the objects were radiographically visible in the empty basin. Different objects demonstrated different appearances when immersed in progressively deeper levels of water, illustrating the effect of the surrounding water as well as the effects of object shape, size, orientation and composition. CONCLUSION: The concept of radiopacity seems simple and the term "radiopaque" is sometimes used to describe an all or none phenomenon. However, radiopacity is a comparative concept implying relative X-ray attenuation. Accurate understanding of the radiographic appearance of foreign bodies requires one to keep in mind the concepts of relative X-ray attenuation and contrast resolution.
BACKGROUND: The term "radiopaque" is commonly used when discussing foreign bodies and lists of radiopaque and non-radiopaque materials are sometimes created, but radiopacity is not a binary concept. A more fundamental understanding of radiopacity is necessary for the work-up of foreign bodies. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that "radiopaque" is a relative term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty foreign bodies of various sizes, shapes and materials were placed in a basin. Radiographs were obtained of the objects with 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 cm depth of water in the basin to simulate the appearance of a foreign body in human tissue. The progressively changing appearance of the objects was observed. RESULTS: All of the objects were radiographically visible in the empty basin. Different objects demonstrated different appearances when immersed in progressively deeper levels of water, illustrating the effect of the surrounding water as well as the effects of object shape, size, orientation and composition. CONCLUSION: The concept of radiopacity seems simple and the term "radiopaque" is sometimes used to describe an all or none phenomenon. However, radiopacity is a comparative concept implying relative X-ray attenuation. Accurate understanding of the radiographic appearance of foreign bodies requires one to keep in mind the concepts of relative X-ray attenuation and contrast resolution.
Authors: Skorn Ponrartana; Fergus V Coakley; Benjamin M Yeh; Richard S Breiman; Aliya Qayyum; Bonnie N Joe; Liina Poder; Ying Lu; Verna C Gibbs; John P Roberts Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: N Pattamapaspong; T Srisuwan; C Sivasomboon; M Nasuto; P Suwannahoy; J Settakorn; J Kraisarin; G Guglielmi Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2012-06-28 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: Jun Hyung Lee; Hyun Cheol Kim; Dal Mo Yang; Sang Won Kim; Wook Jin; Seong Jin Park; Hyoung Jung Kim Journal: Clin Imaging Date: 2012-06-08 Impact factor: 1.605