Method for identifying artifactual radiographic images caused by epithelial protuberances

摘要

The present invention provides a method for identifying the artifactual radiographic images caused by epithelial protuberances. The claimed method employs a partially radiolucent, faintly radiopaque marker which is secured around an epithelial protuberance. The marker is designed so that when secured it not only preserves the generally cylindrical shape and vertical boundaries of the protuberance, but also ensures that a thin layer or film of air is maintained surrounding the protuberance. After the marker is secured, the preserved vertical boundaries of the protuberance are presented tangentially to an xray beam to produce a radiographic shadow of both the protuberance and the marker. The artifactual radiographic image caused by the protuberance can then be readily identified by detecting the radiographic shadow cast by the protuberance in association with the shadow cast by the surrounding, faintly opaque marker.