The application of fast screen-film systems to excretory urography

Rare earth and barium fluorochloride screen-film combinations of different relative speeds were compared to conventional calcium tungstate systems in patients undergoing excretory urography under controlled conditions. Radiographs were ranked by subjective impressions of detail, contrast, mottle, motion unsharpness, overall quality, and acceptablility. Compared to a medium speed calcium tungstate screen/film combination (assigned a speed of 1), screen-film systems in the 2-5 speed range offered improvement in overall quality due to diminished respiratory motion unsharpness at the cost of some loss of detail and increase in mottle. Other advantages and disadvantages of fast screen-film systems are discussed.