If the OID on x ray is increased what happens?

If the optical density (OID) on an X-ray is increased, it means that the X-ray appears darker or denser. This can be caused by several factors:

1. Increased thickness: If the part of the body being X-rayed is thicker, it will absorb more X-rays, resulting in a darker appearance on the X-ray.

2. Increased density: If the density of the tissue being X-rayed is higher, it will also absorb more X-rays, leading to increased OID.

3. X-ray technique: The X-ray machine settings can affect the OID. Using a lower kVp (kilovoltage peak) or a higher mAs (milliampere-seconds) can result in increased OID.

An increased OID can help to visualize certain anatomical structures or pathological findings better. For example, in a chest X-ray, increased OID may be used to highlight lung abnormalities such as pneumonia or tumors. However, it's important to find the right balance, as excessive OID can make it challenging to interpret the X-ray and may obscure other important details.

Therefore, radiographers carefully adjust the X-ray machine settings and consider the patient's anatomy to achieve optimal OID while ensuring diagnostic quality images.