Scans/Alignment Flashcards
Indications for scans
- History of significant trauma
- Pain waking the patient at night
- Identification of a foreign body
- Changes to a longstanding pain pattern
- Unrelenting pain
- If positive radiographic findings would change patient management.
CT Types
Bone window- bone is more clear. Articular sites, Bone Degeneration, trauma, bone congenital abnormalities
Soft tissue- Bone appears white.Usually for viewing Herniation, soft tissue masses, haematoma
MRI types
T1- fat is the brightest
T2- water is the brightest
ALL ABCS
• A = All: Ensure all your films asked for are there
Patients identifying details are present (e.g. The X-rays are of the patient you requested)
All Bones are present which should normally be present
• A = Alignment Alignment of bones with one another in relation to articulation with other bones
• B = Bone Quality Trabecular patterns
Density of bones (e.g. high density = whiter film as opposed to low density films)
Medullary cavities
Cortical continuity, thickness and integrity
Periosteal involvement
• C = Cartilage Note joint space and symmetry
• S = Soft tissues Note any increase in density (for example due to soft tissue injury) or absence or
presence of.
Standard Skull Films (3)
● AP (or Townes ½ AP)
● Axial
● Lateral
Standard Facial Films (4)
○ Water’s (occipital-mental) PA sinus
○ Occipital-frontal
○ Lateral
○ Caldwell
Cervical Views (5)
○ APOM ○ AP Lower Cervical ○ Lateral ○ Right and Left Oblique Posterior Davis Series ○ Flexion and extension lateral (along with all other films)
Cervical Alignment Lateral (3)
● ALL (Anterior Longitudinal Line)
● PLL (Georges line – posterior longitudinal ligament)
● Spino-Laminar line
Spinal Canal Width
Normal Sagittal Diameter of SLL to PLL (spinal cord Space) (<12mm stenosis) C1: 16-30 C2: 14-27 C3: 13-23 C4: 12-22 C5: 12-22 C6: 12-22 C7: 12-22 Should see facets superimposed DJD Fracture dislocation Neoplastic conditions Arthritides
Cervical Angle
Measured: Midpoints of anterior and posterior tubercles of the atlas and a line through inferior endplate of C7.
Perpendiculars are constructed if required.
Angle: 35-45 degrees normal lordosis
Physiological Line of Stress (Ruth Jackson)
Measured: Posterior aspect of Dens and Posterior Aspect of C7 (forms a cross)
Neutral: Should pass through C4/5 IVD
Flexion: Should Pass through C5/6
Extension: Should Pass through C4/5 posterior
Significance: Biomechanical compensation
Vertical Line of Stress
Measured from the apical point of the dens and the anterior superior aspect of C7 (a line straight down)
Neutral: Should pass through C4/5 IVD
Flexion: Should Pass
Atlanta-dental interspace (ADI)
Measured: Anterior aspect of dens and posterior aspect of anterior tubercle.
Distance: 1-3mm adults
1-5mm children
Indications: PARRS, Down Syndrome
Retro-Pharyngeal Line
Measured: Anterior Inferior border of C2 and posterior pharyngeal airspace.
Distance: <5mm
Retro-Tracheal Line
Measured: Anterior Inferior border of C6 and posterior tracheal airspace. Distance: <20mm Indications: Haematoma, Trauma Suppuration
Thoracic Views (3)
AP
Lateral
Specific Rib views
Thoracic Alignment AP (4)
▪ Side bending (scoliosis)
▪ Rotation pedicular method or SP
▪ Interpedicular distance
▪ Tracheal bifurcation
Thoracic Alignment Lateral (5)
▪ ALL, PLL, SLL
▪ Angle of the Thoracic Kyphosis
▪ Tracheal bifurcation