Articles
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29 results found
Article
Cervical spine (AP view)
The anteroposterior (AP) cervical spine projection is part of the cervical spine series.
Indications
This projection helps to visualize pathology relating to C3-C7 in the anatomical position, demonstrating any compression fractures, clay-shoveler fractures and herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) ...
Article
Normal spine imaging examples
This article lists examples of normal imaging of the spine and surrounding structures, divided by region and modality.
Cervical spine
plain radiograph
example 1: AP, lat, obliques only
example 2: PEG view
example 3: flexion and extension views only
example 4: pediatric (12 years old)
exam...
Article
Lipiodol
Lipiodol (also known as ethiodized oil) is an oil-based iodinated contrast medium that was historically used for myelography and hysterosalpingography 1. It was later superseded by newer, less hazardous, agents, and now is used primarily as a therapeutic agent. Guerbet is now the sole manufactur...
Article
Scoliosis radiography
Scoliosis radiography is useful in identifying the degree of the scoliosis curvature (major/minor or primary/compensatory curves), as well as observing progression to determine the best treatment method 1.
Indications
Scoliosis radiographs are performed specifically when the disease is suspe...
Article
Cervical spine alignment
When assessing cervical spine alignment, look for four parallel lines connecting structures in the cervical spine:
anterior vertebral line: anterior margin of the vertebral bodies
posterior vertebral line: posterior margin of the vertebral bodies (also known as George's line)
spinolaminar lin...
Article
Lumbar spine (lateral view)
The lumbar spine lateral view images the lumbar spine which generally consists of five vertebrae (see: lumbosacral transitional vertebra).
Indications
This projection shows an orthogonal view of the AP/PA view and is utilized in many imaging contexts including trauma, postoperatively, and for ...
Article
Scoliosis (lateral bending view)
Scoliosis lateral bending views are additional scoliosis projections accompanying the standard PA/AP and lateral views.
Indications
The aim of this view is to assess patients' lateral range of spinal motion 1 in the vertebral column as part of a scoliosis series.
Patient position
patient er...
Article
Scoliosis (erect lateral view)
The scoliosis erect lateral view is performed to visualize the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of interest in profile.
Indications
This projection is done in cases of scoliosis and often done upon first presentation as a useful examination in identifying spondylolisthesis and the degree of kyph...
Article
Scoliosis (PA/AP view)
The scoliosis posteroanterior/anteroposterior (PA/AP) view allows for visualizing the thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies of interest.
Indications
This projection is used in determining scoliosis in patients and allows for the severity of lateral spinal curvature to be assessed 1.
Patient po...
Article
Sacrum and coccyx (lateral view)
The sacrum and coccyx lateral view is utilized to demonstrate the most distal region of the spine in a lateral position.
Indications
This projection is commonly used in conjunction with the AP projection or can be used as a sole projection, depending on department protocols. It helps to visual...
Article
Lumbar spine (flexion and extension views)
The lumbar spine flexion and extension views images the lumbar spine which consists of five vertebrae.
Indications
These views are specialized projections to provide functional tests 1 of lumbar spine instability, often in the context of spondylolisthesis.
Patient position
the patient is pos...
Article
Lumbar spine (AP/PA view)
The lumbar spine anteroposterior or posteroanterior view images the lumbar spine in its anatomical position. The lumbar spine generally consists of five vertebrae (see: lumbosacral transitional vertebra).
Indications
This projection is utilized in many imaging contexts including trauma, postop...
Article
Lumbar spine series
The lumbar spine series is comprised of two standard projections along with a range of additional projections depending on clinical indications. The series is often utilized in the context of trauma, postoperative imaging and for chronic conditions such as ankylosing spondylosis.
Lumbar spine r...
Article
Thoracic spine (lateral view)
The thoracic spine lateral view images the thoracic spine, which consists of twelve vertebrae.
Indications
This projection is utilized in many imaging contexts including trauma, postoperatively, and for chronic conditions. It can help to visualize any compression fractures, subluxation or kyph...
Article
Thoracic spine (AP view)
The thoracic spine anteroposterior (AP) view images the thoracic spine, which consists of twelve vertebrae.
Indications
This projection is utilized in many imaging contexts including trauma, postoperatively, and for chronic conditions. It can help to visualize any compression fractures, sublux...
Article
Thoracic spine series
The thoracic spine series is comprised of two standard projections along with a range of additional projections depending on clinical indications. The series is often utilized in the context of trauma, postoperative imaging and for chronic conditions.
Radiographs of the thoracic spine are consi...
Article
Cervical spine (flexion and extension views)
The cervical spine flexion and extension views demonstrate the seven vertebrae of the cervical spine when the patient is in a lateral position.
Indications
These views are specialized projections often requested to assess for spinal stability.
Note, such functional views should not be perform...
Article
Cervical spine (odontoid view)
The odontoid or 'peg' projection, also known as the open mouth AP projection (or radiograph), is an AP projection of C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) with the patient's mouth open.
Indications
This view focuses primarily on the odontoid process of C2, and is useful in visualizing odontoid and Jefferso...
Article
Cervical spine (swimmer's lateral view)
Cervical spine swimmer's lateral view is a modified lateral projection of the cervical spine to visualize the C7/T1 junction.
As technology advances, computed tomography has replaced this projection, yet there remain many institutions (especially in rural areas) where computed tomography is no...
Article
Cervical spine (PA oblique view)
The PA oblique cervical spine projections are supplementary views to the standard AP, odontoid and lateral images in the cervical spine series and are always done bilaterally for comparison purposes. The PA oblique projection is preferred as it reduces radiation dose to the thyroid 1, compared t...