T Spine Technique Flashcards
how is the pt positioned for an AP t spine? - 5 points
pt supine with head resting on pillow and arms relaxed by the pt’s side
long axis of the pt is coincident with midline of the table
ASISs are equidistant to table top
MSP of pt is 90 degrees to table top indicating no rotation
pt’s head raised slightly so chin is clear of upper thoracic region
how is the tube positioned for an AP t spine?
where is the tube centred?
what is the SID?
what is the breathing?
direct vertical central ray at 90 degrees to pt
between the sternal notch (T1) and the xiphisternum (T12) in the midline
100cm
arrested respiration
what should be collimated?
c7 superiorly
l1 inferiorly
costo-vertebral joints and medial 1/3 of ribs laterally
what should be seen on an AP t spine? - 5 points
vertebral bodies coincident with midline of image receptor
spinous processes central to vertebral bodies
evidence of intervertebral joint space
sternal ends of clavicle equidistant from spine indicating no rotation
mandible clear of upper thoracic cavity
what should be included on an ideal AP t spine? - 8 points
corticol outlines of the vertebrae should be intact
trabecular pattern should be comparable between each of the vertebrae
size of vertebrae bodies increases progressively from T1-T12
interspinous distance should be approx equal throughout the t spine so no widening/loss of joint space
spinous processes should be centralised throughout t spine so no disruption of vertebral alignment
inter-pedicular distance should be virtually equal throughout t spine so no disruption of vertebral bodies
pedicles and transverse processes should be symmetrical throughout t spine so no disruption of vertebral alignment
no evidence of abnormal soft tissue outlines which would indicate para-vertebral swelling
how should the pt be positioned for a lateral t spine?
pt rolled onto affected side, elbows flexed and arms resting anteriorly, pt’s shoulders and hips adjusted so in same plane allowing MSP to be parallel to table top, long axis of spine coincident with midline of image receptor, knees and ankles flexed for stability
how is the tube positioned for a lateral t spine?
where is the tube centred?
what is the SID?
direct vertical central ray at 90 degrees
2.5cm behind mid-axillary line at the level of the inferior angle of the scapula
100cm
what can be used to improve image quality and how?
what is the breathing for a t spine?
a lead-rubber sheet can be placed posterior to the t spine to improve image quality by absorbing scatter
should be taken on arrested respiration or can be taken using the breathing technique which employs a long exposure time - pt breathes through the exposure to blur out overlying ribs to see vertebrae more clearly
what should be collimated in a lateral t spine?
c7 superiorly
l1 inferiorly
soft tissue borders posteriorly and soft tissue borders anteriorly following vertebral line
what should be seen on a lateral t spine?
vertebral bodies coincide with midline
superimposition of anterior, inferior, superior and posterior borders of vertebral bodies
intervertebral space
intervertebral foramina open and superimposed
what should be included on an ideal lateral t spine?
corticol outlines of the vertebrae should be intact
trabecular pattern should be comparable between each of the vertebrae
size of vertebrae bodies increases progressively from T1-T12
interspinous distance should be approx equal throughout the t spine so no widening/loss of joint space
spinous processes should be centralised throughout t spine so no disruption of vertebral alignment
posterior ribs should be symmetrical and aligned
intervertebral foramina should be symmetrical and aligned
soft tissues should appear normal - abnormal soft tissue would indicate para-vertebral swelling
