What is a common effect of increasing kVp in radiography?

Increasing the kilovolt peak (kVp) in radiography primarily leads to decreased contrast in the resulting images. Higher kVp settings generate x-rays with greater energy, which enhances the penetration ability of the x-rays through the patient's body. As a result, there is a broader range of tissue densities that can be imaged, reducing the difference between the light and dark areas on the radiograph.

This reduction in contrast can be beneficial for visualizing structures that have similar densities, but it often results in a “flatter” image appearance where subtle differences in tissue types are less distinguishable. In clinical practice, a balance is crucial—enough kVp is needed to penetrate the anatomy, but excessive increases can lead to the loss of image contrast. Understanding how kVp influences image quality, including contrast, is critical for effective radiographic imaging and interpretation.