What is a likely effect of using improper grid placement during an x-ray procedure?

Using improper grid placement during an x-ray procedure can lead to grid cutoff, which occurs when the grid is misaligned with the x-ray beam. Grids are designed to reduce scatter radiation, improving image contrast and overall quality. However, when the grid is not positioned correctly, it may absorb some of the primary beam, leading to a decrease in the quantity of x-rays that reach the image receptor.

Grid cutoff can manifest in several ways, such as reduced exposure in certain areas of the image, resulting in an unevenly darkened or lightened image. Essentially, this improper alignment means that certain parts of the image will appear underexposed despite adequate technical factors being set for the procedure.

In contrast to grid cutoff, techniques that improve image quality typically involve proper alignment and calibration of the imaging setup. This is not the case when the grid is incorrectly placed, as it compromises the quality of the resulting images. Therefore, understanding the implications of grid placement is crucial for obtaining clinically useful x-rays.