Lecture 1 - Ribs Sternum SC Joints Flashcards
What are some reasons that we would image the sternum?
- Fracture from blunt trauma
- . Fracture from CPR
What is the reason we would image the SC joint?
SC joint dislocation
What are some of the reasons that we would image the ribs?
- Direct complications of rib fractures (pneumothorax, hemothorax, contusions)
- Metastases
- Rib fractures themselves
What are metastases?
Cancer in the lungs (appear circular)
What is a pneumothorax?
What does it cause?
Air in the pleural space causing lung to collapse
What is a lung contusion?
Trauma to the lung that has caused bleeding in the alveolar capillaries without tear to the lung tissue
What type of body position is most comfortable for fracture patient
Erect position
Review sternum anatomy
Refer back to last semester notes
What body type is (A+C) and (B+D) representing?
A+C=hypersthenic
B+D=asthenic
Why do we image RAO for the sternum?
Why not LAO, AP/PA, or LPO?
- The sternum would be superimposed over the thoracic vertebrae if AP/PA
- RAO places the sternum over the homogenous density of the heart, so it prevents burn out as opposed to LAO
- RAO reduces OID compared to LPO (increases SR)
Is this image taken with or without a breathing technique?
Without breathing technique
For positioning the RAO sternum, how do you determine the obliquity?
Obliquity is 15-20 degrees
15 for hypersthenic
20 for asthenic
Textbook answer
In actuality, use 45 degrees
What should you see on an RAO sternum?
- Entire sternum from jugular notch to tip of Xiphoid process
- Blurred pulmonary markings with breathing technique
- Sternum projected over the heart and off the spine
What projection is this?
Sternum; RAO
Why do we use a 180cm OID for a lateral sternum?
To compensate for the increased OID/prevent magnification
When positioning a patient for a lateral sternum, should we position AP or lateral? Why?
Center lateral: Because with larger patients, if you centered AP, you could clip off part of the sternum
Why shoud we not use AEC for a lateral sternum?
Image will be underexposed and cause quantum mottle