Thoracic

Question 1

What are two pitfalls of the AP thoracic radiograph?

Answer 1

1) Upper thoracics are surrounded by lucent lung fields *=high contrast
2) Lower thoracics are surrounded by dense abdomen *=low contrast

Question 2

What are 3 pitfalls of the Lateral Thoracic view?

Answer 2

Lower thoracics surrounded by dense abdomen
Mid thoracics surrounded by lungs *=radiolucent
Upper thoracics surrounded by arms, shoulders, scapula *=very radiopaque (32)

Question 3

What area is best visualized I

On a swimmer’s lateral view?

Answer 3

Cervicothoracic junction

Question 4

Which pars interarticularis (right or left) are visualized in a RPO? LPO?

Answer 4

RPO shows Right pars interarticularis

LPO shows Left pars interarticularis

Question 5

What is the minimal diagnostic series for the pelvis region?

Answer 5

AP

Question 6

Which margin of SI joint (anterior or posterior) is more lateral in AP view?

Answer 6

Anterior (68)

Question 7

In thoracic kyphosis, where are the measuring lines drawn?

Answer 7

Parallel to superior end plate of T1 and inferior end plate of T12. Then perpendicular lines are drawn and angle measured. (71)

Question 8

Where are measurements taken in thoracic cage dimensions? What are minimum distances for “normal”?

Answer 8

Measured from posterior sternum to anterior surface of 8th thoracic vertebral body.
9cm females
11cm males

Question 9

Where are Lumbar lordosis lines drawn? What angle is “normal”?

Answer 9

Parallel lines are drawn from superior end plate of L1 and base of sacrum. Perpendicular lines then drawn and angle measured.
“Normal” is 50-60 degrees
(Significance is debated) (72)

Question 10

What are the standards for the Lumbar gravity line?

Answer 10

Find center of L3 body
Vertical line should intersect anterior 1/3 of the sacral base, and should not be more than 10mm anterior to the base (74)
*this is a rough estimate of ant. or post. weight bearing

Question 11

What is grade 5 of Meyerding’s Spondylolisthesis Grading called?

Answer 11

Spondyloptosis

Question 12

What does Ullman’s line indicate?

Answer 12

Anterolisthesis (75)
Line drawn along sacral base, another is drawn perpendicular. L5 should be posterior to or just contact the perpendicular line

Question 13

What is Eisentstein’s method for Sagittal Canal Measurement?

Answer 13

Line drawn from SAP to IAP, measure from that line to posterior vertebral body; should be greater that 14-15 mm
Indicator of Spinal Stenosis