Top Identification of the radiograph

• It is helpful , and in some circumstances essential, to have certain information incorporated in the radiograph, so that it is available when the film is examined subsequently . This may include:

• a. An " L " or " R " to identify a particular limb or side of the patient .

• b. Some indication of the time which has elapsed since the administration of a contrast medium .

• c. The date of radiography.

• d. Some means of identifying the particular patient.

• This information may be added to the radiographic during radiography, during processing, or subsequently when the film is dry. Obviously the earlier the details can be attached to the film the less the risk of mistake occurring.

• Writ the owner’s name together with other relevant information in pencil on the top right – hand corner of the film, if other methods of identification are not used Close the cassette.

Top Identification During radiography

• The simplest way of carrying this out is by placing lead letters or numbers on top of the film holder (preferably fixed with Sellotape or similar radio translucent material) before making the radiographic exposure .

• " L ", " R " and similar markers should be always be added at this stage. If this information is attached to the film later it is only too easy to make mistake in identifying a particular side of the patient .

Identification During Processing

Essential information can be penciled on a corner of the film in the dark room immediately before processing .

Care and storage of the dry radiograph

• The following notes on the care and storage of dry films may be useful:

• Make sure the films are dry.

• The practice of keeping films in their original paper protective folders from the film box is cheap, but less acceptable when many films are to be stored . It is more convenient to keep them in film storage envelops .

• Film envelopes can be filed either in a cabinet or on open shelves. It will be found that it is much easier to file films if all the envelopes are the same size.

• Films of outstanding interest can be further protected by sealing them in polythene covers from which they need not to removed when handling and viewing.

Top X-ray Film Processing Sequence

Preliminary

Check that the developer is at the correct level and temperature and has been stirred . Select the correct film hanger. Switch on safe –lights. Switch off white light.

Dry Bench

• Open the back plate of the cassette and gently shake the top well so the film can be grasped at its edge by the finger and thumb (photographa).

• Loading the hanger if a channel type hanger is used, hold it in the left hand and slide the film into the channels and close the top hinge (photograph b).

• A tension clip hanger is loaded by inserting the film first into the bottom clips, then turning the hunger the right way up , insert the film into the upper spring clips (photograph c).

Loading the hunger

• If a channel type hunger is used hold it in the left hand and slide the film into the channels and close the top hinge.

• A tension clip hunger is loaded by inserting the film first into the bottom clips then turning the hunger the right way up, insert the film into the upper spring clips.

Identification

• Right the owner's name together with other relevant information in pencil on the top right-hand corner of the film if other methods of identification are not used.

• Close the cassette.

Wet Bench

• Place the film in the developer (photographed) and agitate two or three times to remove any air bubbles on the film surface . Place the lid on the developer tank .

• Set the interval timer.

• If the hands are wet, rinse and dry thoroughly.

Top Reloading the cassette

• Open the lid of the X-ray film box and extract a film in its folder by its edge . Film emulsion is sensitive to pressure, so don’t fold or buckle film by careless handling.

• Open the cassette.

• Pull back the top leaf of the protective holder, twist the wrest and drop the film into the well of the cassette. Withdraws the folder. Run a finger around the edge of the well to make sure that the film is not protruding over the edge.

• Close the cassette and replace the top on the film box.

• At the end of the developing period, left out the film and allow the solution to drain back into the developer tank for a few seconds.

• Rinse in water for about 10 seconds.

• Place the film in the fixer and wait for 30 seconds.

• The white light can now be switched on.

• When the milky appearance caused by the dissolving silver halides had disappeared the film can be viewed for technical quality and professional diagnosis.

• The film should be washed in running water for half an hour.

Drying

• The usual method of drying a small quantity of films is to take them out of the channel hangers, attach drying clips and hang them on a tensioned wire line in a dust-free place where there is a free air circulation . the films should not touch each other.

Radiographic Interpretation 

• The radiograph should not be read when wet. A wet film should be examined only to see if the exposure is correct, the desired anatomical areas have been included on the film, the positioning is adequate, and radiographic detail is sharp.

• A final conclusion concerning the radio-graphic study should be made only from a dry radiograph. Top