Extra-Oral Views; Other Plain Views Flashcards
what 3 maxillofacial views show the facial bones / skull
lateral
anterior / posterior
basal perspective
in terms of the equipment needed; when setting up the patient are they closer to the image receptor or closer to the tube head
closer to the image receptor
what is collimation
Collimation is the control of the size and shape of the x-ray beam
Smallest field of view consistent with the diagnostic requirements
Ie for periapicals we use rectangular collimation
where on the equipment does collimation occur
at the tube head
what ensures correct collimation
To ensure correct collimation, light beam shows area on patient which will be exposed to the primary beam
what dimensions is the cassette
○ Film:
§ 18 x 24 cm
§ Or 24 x 30 cm
○ Intensifying screen:
Minimum speed 400
what is the grid
○ Comprising thin lead strips adjacent to cassette which attenuate obliquely travelling photons before they reach the film
○ But for same number of photons to reach film the dose must be increased otherwise insufficient blackening
○ A grid is put in between the x-ray source and the IR to try and cut out x-rays which are not approaching the IR pretty much straight on
§ Photons which are not approaching it straight on will be going through obliquely and will be picking up information about structures but not superimposing them in the anatomically most correct place
do you always need to use a grid
○ Don’t always need to use a grid
Eg where you don’t need great details like in large things like pathological lesions where there could be a little overlay of other structures it wouldn’t stop us using / diagnosing from the image
what are commonly used planes / lines for extra-oral views
○ Frankfort plane
○ Orbitomeatal line (OM line)
§ Probably the most important one
○ Interpupillary line
Mid-sagittal plane
remember to use visible anatomical landmarks
what is the frankfort plane
- Connect orbitale (most inferior infraorbital rim) with porion (superior external auditory meatus)
- Skeletal - select overlying soft tissues
○ Must have hair behind ears to actually be able to see the ears
If you cannot see where the features are then you need to feel for the features on the patient eg if patient has fleshy cheeks
- Skeletal - select overlying soft tissues
how should the frankfort plane be positioned for panoramic and cephalometric radiographs
Position horizontally for panoramic and cephalometric radiographs
what is the orbitomeatal line
- Links central part of external auditory meatus with outer canthus of eye
○ Soft tissue feature line
Outer canthus = where upper and lower eyelids come together
how does the ortbitomeatal line differ from the frankfort plane
- Differs from frankfort plane by about 10˚
○ Lines are closer together posteriorly, but further apart anteriorly
Doesn’t sound like a big difference but it does make a difference to the positioning of the paitent
which line is more easier visualised; frankfort plane or orbitomeatal line
Orbitomeatal Line
what does the lateral skull extra-oral view show
- Similar to lateral ceph.
○ When lateral ceph is taken it is taken with the head in a standardised position to best produce an image which is reproducible within one patient but also comparable between different patients
○ This radiograph is more free positioning
§ Eg it is the radiographer positioning the patient using planes and lines and doesn’t include images of soft tissues - Shows lateral view of whole skull and facial bones & upper cervical spine
○ Does not show all of the facial bone
No cephalostat or wedge for soft tissue profile
what are the indications for lateral skull radiographs
- Fractures of skull / skull base
○ Historically - But might still be a first line investigation in a situation where a CT is not available or whether this radiograph would be manageable and a CT would not be manageable
§ Can help move forward along the diagnostic pathway - Facial fractures to show vertical and anteroposterior displacement
○ Although both sides are superimposed on each other - not widely used
○ Can be used when there are severe middle third fractures where the facial bones are being fractured off from the cranium but patients with this level of trauma are likely to have cranial / head trauma as well so they are probably more likely to have CT - Skull pathology
○ Eg Pagets, myeloma - Pituitary fossa enlargement
○ Similar to situations above - CT probably used instead - Sphenoid sinus pathology