While some might believe that X-ray technologists are just button pushers, that is not the case. There are responsibilities that we must do behind the scenes in order to give the radiologist images that they will be able to read. First and foremost, if image analysis was not your cup of tea in school, then get ready because it does not end after classes end. We have to continuously use what we are taught in image analysis to give diagnostically acceptable images to the radiologist. This means that every time you take an exposure, it is your duty to ensure that it is the best possible image with all of the anatomy where it needs to be.
For example, imagine you took this exposure and for some reason you were unsure if it was diagnostically acceptable. There is a list of criteria that each position must have. One way to check to see if the image is good is to do an image analysis of the image. So for an elbow, there is a list of factors that need to be met in order for it to be a good image. This is where image analysis comes into play.
LATERAL ELBOW NEEDS TO HAVE
Open elbow joint in the center of the IR
Elbow flexed at 90*
Superimposition of humeral epicondyles
Radial tuberosity facing anteriorly
Olecranon process seen in profile
Radial head partially superimposing the coronoid process
As you can see, this elbow matches up with all of the image analysis except for the open elbow joint being in the center of the IR. This means that while it is diagnostically acceptable, there is room for improvement. It is important that we do this with each image so that we can create better images in the future.
X-ray X-pert 