#Ap cervical spine x ray positioning series#

any overlap/apparent kinks in the shunt will require a lateral or oblique view to demonstrate the shunt without overlap.frontal abdomen to image the remaining portion of the shunt.no patient rotation as evident by central spinous processes and the symmetrical appearance of the sacroiliac joints and iliac wings. chest exposure factors may make it difficult to appreciate the shunt below the diaphragm, this will be covered in the abdominal radiograph the entire lumbar spine should be visible, with demonstration of T11/T12 superiorly and the sacrum inferiorly.PA or AP chest to examine the thoracic portion of the shunt.frontal view of the cervical spine including a portion of the thoracic vertebrae to ensure overlap with the frontal chest radiograph.ensuring clear visualization of the shunt, if this is not achieved an oblique cervical spine may be performed.

lateral projection of the cervical spine to include the skull (saving a separate lateral skull).

ensuring clear visualization of the shunt in the skull and its path down the cervical region.

ensure the patient's mouth is open as wide as possible. Radiographic imaging of the lumbar spine accounts for 2.1 of all conventional X-ray examinations and 2.2 of the collective dose within the United Kingdom (UK). position the patient's head in a true AP position. superimpose the outer table of the occiput of the skull with the patient's central incisors.

AP or PA skull (patient dependent) including the superior aspect of the cervical spine There are a number of objectives when performing the AP open mouth odontoid peg view.

The goal with the shunt projections is, overlap and clear visualization of the shunt, these are not traditionally centered projections.

#Ap cervical spine x ray positioning series#

The shunt series is performed on both adult and pediatric patients. Departmental protocols will vary but the overall goal is to image the shunt in its entirety to assess for mechanical causes of shunt failure 1,2.