What phenomenon describes the appearance of little lines due to lead strips in fluoroscopy?

The phenomenon that describes the appearance of little lines due to lead strips in fluoroscopy is known as the grid line artifact. This occurs when a radiographic grid, which is utilized to reduce scatter radiation and enhance image quality, creates visible lines on the resulting images. The grid consists of alternating strips of lead and a material that allows the passage of X-rays. When imaging, if the alignment between the grid and the X-ray beam is not optimal, or if the grid frequency and the imaging detector do not match, it results in the grid lines becoming apparent on the final images.

In fluoroscopy, where dynamic imaging is performed, the use of grids can be crucial, but it can also lead to this artifact if the technique is not properly optimized. Understanding the grid line artifact helps radiologic technologists in troubleshooting image quality issues and ensuring that the images obtained are clear for diagnostic purposes.