Which factor increases the risk of cone beam artifact?

The factor that increases the risk of cone beam artifact is a wide x-ray beam. In cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a wider x-ray beam has the potential to capture more data over a larger volume. While this may seem beneficial, it can lead to geometric distortions and inconsistencies in image reconstruction, known as cone beam artifacts. These artifacts occur when the x-ray data does not adequately represent a uniform slice, often affecting the quality of the images, particularly at the periphery of the field being imaged. The geometry of the x-ray paths in relation to the detectors plays a crucial role, and a wider beam can exacerbate the issues with volume imaging, leading to decreased resolution and artifacts.

Understanding how x-ray beam width interacts with the imaging process is essential in CT imaging. While factors like the display field-of-view, the matrix size, and the exposure technique can influence image quality, they do not directly contribute to the specific issue of cone beam artifacts as significantly as the width of the x-ray beam does. Thus, focusing specifically on the implications of a wide x-ray beam directly correlates with the likelihood of encountering cone beam artifacts in CBCT imaging.