What is the outcome of reducing kVp in a radiographic procedure?

Reducing the kilovolt peak (kVp) in a radiographic procedure leads to enhanced image contrast. A lower kVp produces images with more pronounced differences between the brightness levels of adjacent tissues, which enhances the visibility of anatomical structures and pathologies.

This effect occurs because lower kVp settings result in less penetration of X-rays through dense tissues, thereby allowing more X-ray absorption and producing a larger differential absorption between various tissues. This differential leads to increased contrast in the final image.

While higher kVp settings penetrate tissues more uniformly leading to lower contrast, the primary benefit of reducing kVp is to achieve better contrast, essential for visualizing subtle differences in tissue densities. This knowledge is crucial for radiographers to optimize image quality based on the specific diagnostic requirements of the procedure.