What effect does widening the window in fluoroscopy have on image contrast?

Widening the window in fluoroscopy affects the mapping of pixel values between dark and light, which directly relates to image contrast. When the window width is increased, the range of pixel values that can be displayed expands. This means that both the darker shades and lighter shades of the image receive a broader allocation of values, allowing finer details in each area to be represented.

As a result, more values are available to depict the variations in brightness across the image. This enhanced range allows for better differentiation between structures in the image, which leads to improved contrast. When the window is widened, it doesn't simply boost the overall brightness or lower it; it rather modifies how the intensity of the image is rendered, impacting the contrast levels and making it easier to discern different features within the image.