Final answer:
Beam hardening is a CT artifact caused by excessive absorption of low-energy x-rays by denser tissue leading to a higher energy, less absorbable beam which creates streaks and affects image quality. Corrective algorithms in modern CT scanners and careful dose monitoring are integral to minimizing artifacts and ensuring patient safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The CT artifact resulting from excessive absorption of the x-ray beam is known as 'beam hardening.' During a computed tomography (CT) scan, x-rays pass through the body and are absorbed by tissue to varying degrees, depending on the tissue density. Beam hardening occurs when denser tissues or objects absorb more low-energy x-rays, causing the remaining beam to be composed of higher energy x-rays, which are less easily absorbed. This can lead to streaking artifacts and inconsistent image quality because different energy x-rays are absorbed differently by body tissues.
To avoid such artifacts, modern CT scans often incorporate corrective algorithms and may use higher energy x-rays which are less prone to beam hardening. These adjustments are essential for producing detailed, high-contrast images which are less susceptible to such artifacts, thereby ensuring the most accurate diagnostic information.
Furthermore, due to risks such as cell damage from radiation exposure, monitoring the radiation dose is imperative to minimize patient risk while obtaining the necessary diagnostic information. The development of CT technology by G. Hounsfield and A. Cormack, which earned them the Nobel Prize in Medicine, revolutionized diagnostic imaging and requires careful operation to avoid overexposure incidents.