lumbar spine projections

Question 1

A.P Lumbar - angle

Answer 1

Straight tube

Question 2

A.P Lumbar - position

Answer 2

Supine or erect. Supine knees drawn up To reduce lumbar lordosis.

Question 3

A.P Lumbar - CR

Answer 3

level of L3 - iliac crests

Question 4

A.P Lumbar - collimation

Answer 4

Full length, laterally to 15 cm width total

superiorly to include the T12/L1 junction
inferior to include the sacral region
lateral to include the transverse processes and sacroiliac joints

Question 5

Lateral Lumbar - positioning

Answer 5

Supine or erect. Spine aligned with C.R

Question 6

Lateral Lumbar - angle

Answer 6

Straight tube (unless compensatory angulation needed)

Question 7

Lateral Lumbar - CR

Answer 7

Level of L3 - iliac crest
2cm posterior to mid-coronal plane

Question 8

Lateral Lumbar - collimation

Answer 8

Full length, laterally to 15 cm width

superiorly to include the T12/L1
inferior to include the sacrum

Question 9

SPOT - positioning

Answer 9

like lateral - left side

Question 10

SPOT - angle

Answer 10

Straight tube unless compensatory angulation needed

Question 11

SPOT - CR

Answer 11

at level of L5
2-3 finger widths (4cm) inferior to iliac crests + 4cm post’ to ASIS

Question 12

SPOT - Collimation

Answer 12

10cm x 10 cm area

Question 13

2x oblique lumbar spine - positioning

Answer 13

45 degrees rotated erect, 45 degrees semi-supine

Question 14

2x oblique lumbar spine - angle

Answer 14

straight

Question 15

2x oblique lumbar spine - CR

Answer 15

2.5 cm above the iliac crests and 5 cm medial from the ASIS

Question 16

oblique lumbar spine - collimation

Answer 16

Full length, laterally to 15cm width total.

superiorly to include the T12/L1 junction

inferior to include the L5/S1 junction

Question 17

exposure for lumbar spine

Answer 17

AP
kVp 80 +/-5
mAs 20
Lateral
kVp 80 +/-5
mAs 80
spot
kVp 95 +/-5
mAs 80
OBLIQUE LUMBAR SPINE
kVp 80 +/-5
mAs 30