T and L spine Flashcards
What is of particularly high risk with spinal injuries
Paralysis, shock, death.
So many nerves are intertwined with the spine-be cautious
What are the typical trauma projections for T-spine
AP
Swimmers
Cross table lateral
What is the CR for T-Spine Swimmers
C7/T1 junction
Why do we perform a swimmers in trauma T-spine
Patients can not move enough to see T1-T3 without swimmers
How do you position a patient for Cross Table Lateral (dorsal decub) T-spine
Patient lays still and raises arms over head to 90 degrees.
Where is the IR for X-table Dorsal Decubitus T-spine
top of IR 3.8-5cm above relaxed shoulders. Center at level of T7.
What is the CR for X-table Dorsal Decubitus T-spine
Horizontal, perpendicular to IR, level of T7 entering the posterior side of the thorax
What breathing technique do you use for a patient when you want to blur the ribs and lung markings to better see the spine
Increase the exposure time (3-4s) and ask patient to breathe slowly. (costal breathing).
Which vertebrae do we need to see in a X-table dorsal decubitus T-spine
T3-L1
How will you position a patient for a X-table dorsal decubitus L-spine
Raise arms over chest and cross them
What is the CR for X-table Dorsal D. L-spine
Horiontal and perpendicular to IR at level of L3/ 5cm(2”) above iliac crest
What breathing instructions are there for L-Spine
Expose on expiration
What should be included on L-spine
T12 to S1
What is a “spot” projection
Used when a specific vertebra should be seen. For example if we want to focus on L1 we would no longer center at L3, but we would find L1 and image only Lower half of T12, L1, and upper half of L2 if possible
How can we adjust patient hips for L5-S1 projection
Francis C method: adjust the imaginary line between iliac crests to be perpendicular to the table
