Spine Radiography

Question 1

• standing position.
• make one radiograph with the patient bending to the right and one with the patient bending to the left
• CR: Directed perpendicular to L3 at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees caudad or projected through the L4-L5 or L5-S1 interspaces
• shows the bending PA projections of the lower thoracic region and the lumbar region for the demonstration of the mobility of the intervertebral joints.

Answer 1

PA PROJECTION / WEIGHT-BEARING METHOD
(R and L bending)

Question 2

A typical scoliosis study might
include the following projection:
* PA / AP upright
* PA / AP upright with lateral
bending
* Lateral upright (with or without
bending)
* PA / AP prone or supine

Answer 2

PA / LATERAL PROJECTIONS
(Scoliosis Radiography)

Question 3

demonstrate the amount/degree of curvature that occur with the force of gravity acting on the body.

Answer 3

PA (or AP) and lateral upright projections

Question 4

often used to differentiate primary from compensatory curves. Primary curves will not change when the patient bends; secondary curves will.

Answer 4

bending studies

Question 5

• For the 1st radiograph for a PA projection, place the patient in a seated or standing position to check the spinal curvature
• For the 2nd radiograph, elevate the patient‘s hip or foot on the convex side of the primary curve approx. 3 or 4 inches by placing a block, a book, or sandbags under the buttock or foot.
• CR: Perpendicular to the midpoint of the IR.
• show PA projection of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, which are used for comparison to distinguish the deforming or primary curve from the compensatory curve in patient with scoliosis.

Answer 5

PA PROJECTION / FERGUSON METHOD
(Thoracolumbar Spine: Scoliosis)

Question 6

• Supine Position
• First radiograph: maximum right bending
• Second radiograph: maximum left bending.
• CR: Perpendicular to the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra, 1 to 1.5 inches above the iliac crest on the MSP.
• employed in patients with early scoliosis to determine the presence of structural change when bending to the right and left. The studies are also used to localize a herniated disk and to demonstrate whether there is motion in the area of a spinal fusion.

Answer 6

AP PROJECTION
R and L Bending
(Lumbar Spine: Spinal Fusion)

Question 7

CR of PA PROJECTION / WEIGHT-BEARING METHOD

Answer 7

perpendicular to L3 at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees