CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Which window settings would be appropriate to visualize abnormalities in the liver?

1. WW = 2000, WL = -400

2. WW = 2000, WL = 300

3. WW = 300, WL = 20

4. WW = 150, WL = 50

The correct answer is: WW = 150, WL = 50

The choice of window width (WW) and window level (WL) settings is crucial for visualizing specific anatomical structures and potential abnormalities. For liver imaging, it is important to adjust these settings to enhance the soft tissue contrast while also adequately capturing the liver's texture and any lesions or abnormalities present. In this case, a window width of 150 and a window level of 50 is appropriate because these settings provide a narrower range of grayscale values, which is effective for visualizing the subtle differences in the liver's soft tissue. This configuration enhances the contrast of the liver's structures and aids in identifying any potential pathologies, such as lesions or fibrosis. The other settings listed do not optimize liver visualization as effectively. A wider window (like 2000) provides a broader range of densities, which is less useful for differentiating between the soft tissues of the liver and potential abnormalities. Similarly, settings with inappropriate window levels may not center around the liver’s typical density, resulting in a loss of important detail necessary for diagnosis. Adjusting the window level closer to the average density of the liver, while maintaining a suitable width, allows for enhanced viewing of subtle abnormalities.