Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.
29 results found
Article
Harris ring
A Harris ring is a ring-like shadow observed at the base of the odontoid process on a lateral radiograph of the cervical spine. It is formed by the superimposition of the lateral masses of the C2 vertebra (axis) on its body.
Disruption of the Harris ring is seen in type III, and less commonly, ...
Article
Cervical spine (AP oblique view)
The AP 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. However, the PA oblique projection is preferred as it reduces radiation dose to the thyroid 1 co...
Article
Sacroiliac joint (AP sacrum view)
The AP sacrum projection is part of the sacroiliac series that includes an oblique projection (PA/AP) of the joint on both sides. Although usually taken as an AP projection it can also be taken PA with a reverse caudal central ray angulation of 30° to 35° when patients cannot assume supine posit...
Article
Sacroiliac joint (PA oblique view)
The posteroanterior (PA) oblique sacroiliac joint view demonstrates the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in an open profile. It is commonly used in conjunction with the sacroiliac AP view.
Indications
This projection examines both left and right sacroiliac joints for comparison purposes in the evalua...
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
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
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
Cervical spine series
The cervical spine series is a set of radiographs taken to investigate the bony structures of the cervical spine, albeit commonly replaced by the CT, the cervical spine series is an essential trauma radiograph for all radiographers to understand.
Indications
Cervical spine radiographs are indi...
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 (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
Cervical gravity line
The cervical gravity line is a measurement made on spinal / chiropractic imaging. It is usually drawn on an erect weight bearing radiograph as plumb line drawn downwards on a sagittal image from the dens.
See also
lumbar gravity line
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
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
Normal imaging examples
This article lists examples of normal imaging divided by body region and system.
brain
head and neck
spine
chest
breast
gastrointestinal
genitourinary
hepatobiliary
upper limb
lower limb
pediatrics
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
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
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 (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...
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
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...
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