Abstract

The radiographic process was simulated by constructing an X-ray focus, the virtual head Phantom, and film on a persomal computer. The X-ray focus can be set to an arbitrary position, the virtual head Phantom can be rotated, and the midsagittal plane can be tilted to the film. The simulator requires the following parameters: the direction of the X-rays, the focus-film distance, the X-ray incident angle the virtual head Phantom rotation angle, and the X-ray incident point. These parameters are set by a mouse pointing operation. The flexibility of the parameter setting enables us to obtain various simulation images of skull radiographs. The graphical user interface was cooded by using C++ Builder 6. Since our radiograph simulation system uses a cone beam, not parallel beam, we can simulate actual radiographic images accurately. It is useful not only for skill improvement of beginners but also for doctors who order radiographs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: It is not easy for beginners to take skul radiographs accurately. We developed a skull radiograph simulation system using a virtual head Phantom to simplify it. A virtual head Phantom was composed from 1mm-thick-sliced images of a head Phantom obtained by using an X-ray CT aparatus.