hereIntroduction

The appropriate use of breathing techniques is one of the hallmarks of a good radiographer. This page considers all aspects of radiographic techniques that utilise deliberate respiration blurring/movement unsharpness..

The Techniques

AP Thoracic Spine		Breathing technique is commonly utilised by radiographers when performing a lateral thoracic spine projection. The technique is equally applicable when performing AP thoracic spine radiography. An exposure time of 1 second or greater is required to achieve sufficient blurring of the thoracic soft tissues. Further information here
Lateral Thoracic Spine		The lateral thoracic spine is the most common radiographic projection to utilise breathing technique. Further information here
AP Lumbar Spine		Breathing technique is particularly useful when performing AP lumbar spine radiography in patients with florid bowel gas. Further information here
Lateral Lumbar Spine		The lateral lumbar spine projection can take advantage of breathing technique in much the same manner as the lateral thoracic spine projection. Further information here.
AP Scapula		Breathing technique when applied to the AP shoulder projection is rarely employed. It can, however, provide improved demonstration of the medial aspect of the scapula and should be considered as a supplementary technique. Further information here
Transthoracic lateral shoulder		The transthoracic lateral shoulder is a particularly useful projection for patients with painful shoulder trauma. The technique produces a lateral projection of the shoulder requiring little or no patient movement. Further information here
Iliac Wing
Oblique Sternum

AP Scapular TechniqueCase 1This is an AP CR shoulder radiography image. The AP shoulder radiography was repeated using DR and breathing technique.The patient was unable to rotate further. A long exposure time of 0.8 seconds (0.8 seconds was the maximum exposure time available with this DR system) was employed and the patient was breathing during the exposure- this did achieve some bluring (movement unsharpness) of the lung markings resulting in improved demonstration of the scapula. The fractured scapula was demonstrated clearly with additional evidence of the fracture extending up towards the glenoid (arrowed). In retrospect, this was also demonstrated on the original CR AP shoulder image. mattress artifact notedCase 2This 22 year old male presented to the Emergency Department with left shoulder pain following a fall onto an outstretched hand. He was referred for left shoulder radiography.The AP shoulder projection image revealed no bony abnormality.The lateral projection of the shoulder similarly revelaed no bony abnormality.The AP shoulder projection was repeated with a 1 second exposure in an attempt to provide improved demonstration of the medial aspect of the scapula. There was some improvement in the demonstration of the medial aspect of the scapula. No fracture was demonstrated.

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