Which artifact is caused by scatter radiation affecting image quality?

Fogging is an artifact that occurs when unwanted scatter radiation degrades the quality of an imaging study. Scatter radiation is produced by interactions of the primary beam with matter, such as the patient's tissues or surrounding materials, leading to unintended exposure of the imaging receptor. This results in a generalized haze or fog across the image, which masks the details that are critical for accurate diagnosis.

Fogging can significantly confuse the assessment of an image, making it difficult to discern important structures or pathologies. This artifact does not arise from issues with the imaging technique itself, but rather from the external factors affecting the imaging medium. It emphasizes the importance of proper shielding and positioning in order to minimize scatter radiation and thus enhance image clarity.

In contrast to fogging, other types of artifacts, like light spots or quantum mottle, arise from different causes, such as underexposure or electronic noise, and not necessarily from scatter radiation. Moiré patterns, on the other hand, occur due to interference between grid lines and the imaging receptor's pixel structure, which does not involve scatter radiation. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective image interpretation and ensuring high-quality diagnostic outputs.