Inadequate collimation when using the AEC often results in:

Inadequate collimation when using the AEC often results in:

• A. Underexposure
• B. Overexposure
• C. Extended tube life
• D. Higher image contrast

Answer: (B)

When the automatic exposure control is used, the exposure stops once the detectors under the patient reach a preset signal. If the beam is not tightly collimated, a larger portion of the patient is irradiated, which means more tissue for the X-rays to pass through and more scatter produced. To achieve the required detector signal with this extra tissue and scatter, the system often delivers more radiation (increasing mA/seconds or duration). That extra radiation raises the patient dose and tends to produce a brighter image, i.e., overexposure. Tight collimation minimizes unnecessary tissue and scatter, helping the AEC reach the target signal with less dose.

When the automatic exposure control is used, the exposure stops once the detectors under the patient reach a preset signal. If the beam is not tightly collimated, a larger portion of the patient is irradiated, which means more tissue for the X-rays to pass through and more scatter produced. To achieve the required detector signal with this extra tissue and scatter, the system often delivers more radiation (increasing mA/seconds or duration). That extra radiation raises the patient dose and tends to produce a brighter image, i.e., overexposure. Tight collimation minimizes unnecessary tissue and scatter, helping the AEC reach the target signal with less dose.