Which two techniques should be used when imaging morbidly obese patients to improve image quality?

• A. Use a grid, increase technical factors
• B. Do not use a grid, reduce exposure factors
• C. Use a grid, decrease technical factors
• D. Avoid any grid, keep technical factors constant

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that imaging morbidly obese patients requires technique adjustments to offset greater tissue thickness and increased scatter. Using a grid helps by absorbing scattered photons, which significantly boosts image contrast in larger patients. At the same time, the thicker body attenuates more photons, so you need higher exposure to maintain adequate receptor exposure. Pairing a grid with increased technical factors ensures enough photons reach the detector while scatter is controlled, resulting in a clearer, more diagnostic image. Not using a grid would let more scatter reach the image and blur contrast; reducing exposure factors would underexpose the image due to attenuation; keeping exposure factors the same wouldn’t compensate for the added tissue and scatter.