If the grid ratio is increased, what happens to the bucky factor?

When the grid ratio is increased, the bucky factor also increases, indicating improved scatter cleanup. The grid ratio is the relationship between the height of the lead strips in a grid and the distance between them. Higher grid ratios generally mean that the lead strips are taller and are spaced more closely, which enhances the grid's ability to absorb scatter radiation that does not contribute to image formation.

As a result, a higher grid ratio effectively reduces the amount of scattered radiation that reaches the image receptor, thus improving image contrast and clarity. This scatter cleanup is particularly important in procedures where high levels of scatter can diminish image quality or lead to misinterpretation.

While it is also important to manage patient exposure, as increasing the grid ratio often requires a higher exposure to maintain image density, understanding the relationship between grid ratio and the bucky factor is crucial for optimizing imaging techniques. So, when the grid ratio is increased, the bucky factor increases along with the grid's ability to clean up scatter, leading to better image quality.