Skull Views

Question 1

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What is an occipitomental skull view used to visualise ?

Answer 1

Fractures of midface or coronoid process.
Avoids superimposition of skull base.

Question 2

What is a PA mandible/skull view used to visualise ?

Answer 2

Fractures of posterior mandible.
Mandibular hypo/hyperplasia.

Question 3

What is a reverse Townes skull view used to visualise ?

Answer 3

Fractures of condylar heads/necks.
Intracapsular fracture of TMJ.
Condylar hyper/hypoplasia.

Question 4

Describe Water’s view and what it is used to visualise ?

Answer 4

Occipitomental views at 10 and 40 degrees.
Used to assess and locate mid face fractures.

Question 5

What is the orbitomeatal line ? And what is it used for ?

Answer 5

Reference line used in patient positioning for most skull radiographs.
Outer canthus of the eye and centre of external auditory meatus.

Question 6

What reference line is used for panoramic and lateral cephalogram radiographs ?

Answer 6

Frankfort plane.

Question 7

Why is the beam projected posteriorly in skull radiographs ?

Answer 7

Reduces magnification and reduces distortion.
Reduces effective dose - attenuated by posterior of skull before the face i.e. where radiosensitive tissues are (lens of the eye).