ABSTRACT
The interaction of x-radiation with matter is significant in fluoroscopy. Every effort must be made to reduce the amount of non-useful ionization of patient tissue by x-ray bombardment. The milliampere setting on the x-ray generator determines the heat of the filament and, therefore, the number of released electrons available for interaction with the target. If the incoming x-ray photon has increased energy resulting from increased kilovoltage applied to the x-ray tube, the x-ray photon, when striking an electron, gives up part of its energy and is deviated from its original path with reduction in energy. Two x-ray interactions with matter of significant importance, required in the production of a radiographic image, are: Photoelectric effect and Compton scatter. An increase in Compton scatter will diminish the quality of the fluoroscopic image. Increased Compton scatter will increase the contrast of the fluoroscopic monitor image by increasing quantum mottle. With an increase in applied voltage, the production of scattered radiation rapidly increases.
