T-spine positioning Flashcards
What IR is used for T-spine views?
14x17
What SID is used for T-spine views?
40”
What are the structures seen for an AP T-spine?
- All 12 thoracic vertebrae shown with uniform density
- Image should include C7 and L1
- Spinous processes at midline of the vertebral bodies
What are the structures seen for a Left lateral T-spine?
- 12 thoracic vertebrae centered on IR
- T1-T3 will be obscured by the shoulders
- Demonstrates intervertebral foramina on the down side
- open intervertebral disk spaces
- Ribs superimposed posteriorly to indicate that the patient was not rotated
- C7 is included
What breathing technique is used for an AP T-spine?
Suspended expiration (uniform density of thorax)
How is the patient positioned for an AP T-spine?
- Patient supine or upright
- If supine, flex knees to bring spine closer to IR
- Top of IR should be 1 1/2 - 2” above shoulders on an avg patient
Where is the CR for an AP T-spine?
Perpendicular to MSP entering at T7 halfway between jugular notch and xiphoid process
What breathing technique is used for a left lateral T-spine?
Normal breathing or suspend on end of expiration
How is the patient positioned for a left lateral T-spine?
- Patient in left lateral recumbent position on table or standing with left side against upright bucky
- Pelvis and shoulders should be equally lateralized
- Knees on top of one another and bent
- Patients hands should be up by head
- Bring scapulae forward
- Top of IR should be 1 1/2 - 2” above shoulders on avg patient
Where is the CR for a left lateral T-spine?
Perpendicular to T7 posterior to axiallary border
What would you do if the T-spine is not horizontal in a left lateral T-spine?
Angle CR 10-15 degrees cephalic so that its perpendicular to spine
What are the structures seen for a swimmers view?
- Lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebra
- Many facilities will require that all 7 cervical vertebrae are included in addition to T1-T3
- Humeral heads minimally superimposed
- Shoulders should be separated and not superimposed upon one another
- Include EAM
What breathing technique is used for a swimmers view?
Suspended expiration or normal breathing
How is the patient positioned for a swimmers view?
- Patient in left lateral recumbent position on table or standing
- Elevate arm closest to IR
- If upright flex the elbow and place forearm on patient head
- Move the humeral head of the elevated arm slightly anteriorly to minimize superimposition of both humeral heads
- Keep body and torso as lateral as possible
- Depress shoulder farthest from IR as much as possible
- Top of IR at top of the ear
Where is the CR for a swimmers view?
Perpendicular to C7-T1 area (angled to spine) 2” above jugular notch
What is the CR angled at?
0-5 degrees caudal if patient cannot depress shoulder
