Skull Radiographic Views & Anatomy

Question 1

what are the types of skull radiographs and their uses?

Answer 1

Group of plain radiographs PRIMARILY for assessing maxillofacial trauma

Main types:
- occipitomental
- postero-anterior mandible
- reverse towne’s

• true lateral skull (similar to lateral ceph)

Question 2

what are OCCIPITOMENTAL radiographs used for?

Answer 2

primarily for fractures of MIDFACE

• le fort 1, 2, 3
• zygomatic complex
• orbital blowout
• naso-ethmoidal complex

Question 3

what are POSTERO-ANTERIOR MANDIBLE radiographs used for?

Answer 3

Primarily fractures of POSTERIOR MANDIBLE (excluding condyles)

Question 4

What is Reverse towne’s radiograph used for?

Answer 4

Primarily for fractures of MANDIBULAR CONDYLES

Question 5

what is the orbitomeatal line?

Answer 5

reference line for MOST skull radiographs
- outer canthus of eye to centre of external auditory meatus

Question 6

what do Occipitomental (OM) xrays show, and their indications?

Answer 6

shows facial skeleton, avoiding superimposition of skull base

Indications:
Middle third fractures
- Le Fort I, II, & III
- Zygomatic region
- Naso-ethmoidal region
- Orbital blow-out

Question 7

positioning of occipitomental (OM) xray?

Answer 7

FACING RECEPTOR, XRAY ENTERS FROM BACK OF HEAD

Head tipped back - Orbitomeatal line @ 45* to receptor

Question 8

what view is this xray and whats each label?

Answer 8

Question 9

Postero-anterior (PA) mandible radiograph

what does it show?
When do you use it?

Answer 9

POSTERIOR PART OF MANDIBLE

Lesions & fractures involving:
- posterior third
- angles
- rami
- low condyle necks

• mandibular hypo/hyperplasia
• maxillofacial deformities

Question 10

whats the patient positioning for a postero-anterior (PA) mandible radiograph?

Answer 10

Facing receptor

Orbitomeatal line PERPENDICULAR to receptor

Question 11

why is x-ray beam projected from POSTERIOR SIDE?

Answer 11

1. Reduced magnification of face (since closer to receptor)
2. Reduced effective dose

Question 12

what xray is this?

Answer 12

posterio-anterior (PA) mandibular xray

used for assessing posterior mandible fractures & lesions/abnormalities

Question 13

whats each label?

Answer 13

Question 14

Reverse towens xray

What does it show?
What do you use it for?

Answer 14

Condyle head & neck

Indications:
- high fractures of condylar necks
- Condylar hypo/hyperplasia

Question 15

what is the POSITIONING of reverse townes xray and what does the pt have to do for it?

Answer 15

Facing receptor

orbitomeatal line perpendicular to receptor

MOUTH OPEN - allows better visual of condylar heads

xray beam: 30* to orbitomeatal line

Question 16

what type of xray is this and how can you tell?

Answer 16

Reverse townes

Patients mouth is open which allows better visual of condyle heads