Solarization in clinical imaging

Abstract

X-ray exposure levels at which solarization occurs were determined for a new screen-film system and its predecessor, both from the same manufacturer and both with a speed class of 400. Solarization (contrast reversal [lead markers imaged as black on a lighter back-ground]) was clearly evident with the new system at a cassette exposure level of 132 mR (3.4 x 10(-5) C/kg). No solarization was exhibited by the old system even at five times this exposure. In rare cases, solarization can obscure bone and soft-tissue detail, thereby degrading the diagnostic accuracy of the radiograph.