What effect does increased kVp have on radiographic contrast?

Increased kilovolt peak (kVp) results in decreased radiographic contrast. This is because as kVp is raised, the penetration power of the x-ray beam increases. Higher energy x-rays pass through various tissues with less interaction, leading to a more uniform exposure on the radiographic film or detector. Consequently, the differences in density between various tissues become less pronounced, diminishing contrast.

In clinical practice, higher kVp settings allow for better penetration of thicker body parts and can improve the overall image quality by reducing the likelihood of scatter radiation. However, this comes at the expense of losing the distinction between different tissue types, resulting in lower contrast. Therefore, the relationship between increased kVp and reduced contrast is well-established in radiography, contributing to the understanding of how exposure factors affect image quality.