Skull TRAUMA Positioning

Question 1

What IR is used for skull views?

Answer 1

10x12

Question 2

What breathing are skull views taken on?

Answer 2

Suspended respiration

Question 3

What structures are seen for a cross-table lateral skull trauma?

Answer 3

• Entire cranium without rotation
• Superimposed orbital roofs and greater wings of sphenoid
• Superimposed mastoid regions, TMJ’s, and EAM
• Sella turcica in profile

Question 4

What structures are seen for an AP or AP axial skull trauma?

Answer 4

• Symmetric petrous ridges
• Petrous pyramids lie in the lower 1/3 of the orbit (if angle is used)
• Petrous pyramids filling the orbits (if no angle is used)

Question 5

What structures are seen for an AP axial Towne skull trauma?

Answer 5

• Symmetric petrous pyramids
• Dorsum sellae seen projected within the foramen magnum
• Occipital bone and posterior portion of parietal bones are demonstrated

Question 6

What is the CR for an AP axial Towne skull trauma?

Answer 6

Enters at the nasion

Question 7

How is the patient positioned for an AP axial Towne skull trauma?

Answer 7

• Semisupine with head turned in true lateral positioned
• Elevate head onto sponge to place head in the center of the IR
• Back of head against IR

Question 8

Where is the MSP & OML for an AP axial Towne skull trauma?

Answer 8

Perpendicular to the plane of IR

Question 9

What angle is the CR for an AP axial Towne skull trauma?

Answer 9

• 30 degrees caudal
• 37 degrees caudal when using the IOML

Question 10

What must you rule out for a skull trauma view before placing the sponge?

Answer 10

Cervical injury

Question 11

Where is the CR for an AP or AP axial skull trauma?

Answer 11

Enters at the nasion

Question 12

What is the angle of the CR for an AP or AP axial skull trauma?

Answer 12

either 0 or 15 degrees cephalic

Question 13

How is the patient positioned for an AP or AP axial skull trauma?

Answer 13

• In semisupine position with head turned in true lateral position
• Elevate head onto sponge in the center of IR
• Back of head against IR

Question 14

What is the SID for skull images?

Answer 14

40”

Question 15

Do skull trauma views use a grid or bucky?

Answer 15

Grid

Question 16

Where is the CR for a cross-table lateral skull trauma?

Answer 16

Horizontal and perpendicular to IR, entering 2” superior to EAM

Question 17

How is the patient positioned for a cross-table lateral skull trauma?

Answer 17

• Patient supine with head in true AP position
• Elevate head onto sponge to center head in the center of IR
• Side of interest in contact with IR

Question 18

Where is the MSP & IP line for a cross-table lateral skull trauma?

Answer 18

• MSP is vertical to the IR
• IP line is perpendicular to IR