What phenomenon is also referred to as quantum noise in radiography?

Quantum noise in radiography is commonly referred to as quantum mottle. This phenomenon occurs due to the statistical fluctuations in the number of photons that reach the image receptor, which can lead to grainy or uneven image quality. When a radiograph is exposed to a low number of x-ray photons, the random nature of photon interactions results in a mottled appearance, where some areas appear lighter and others darker. This effect is particularly pronounced in low-exposure scenarios and can hinder the diagnostic quality of the image.

The other terms mentioned relate to different concepts in radiography. Low exposure pertains to insufficient radiation dose, which can exacerbate quantum mottle if the number of photons is insufficient. Photon starvation refers to a specific situation where a lack of adequate photons leads to inadequate image formation, thus also contributing to quantum mottle but is not synonymous with it. Radiographic distortion relates to inaccuracies in shape or size appearing in the image, which is a different issue altogether from the statistical variations causing quantum mottle.