Lumbar Spine - LateralThis is a featured page

Radiographic Positioning


Adult
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Name of projection Lumbar Spine - Lateral
Area Covered T12 - Sacrum, intervertebral foramina L1 to L4, vertebral bodies, intervertebral joints, spinous processes, and L5 to S1 junction, entire sacrum may be visualised
Pathology shown Fractures, spondylolisthesis, bone lesions, osteoporosis, foreign bodies.
Radiographic Anatomy Lumbar Spine Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation 35 x 43 cm larger patient
30 x 35 cm smaller patient
Portrait
Film / Screen Combination Regular
(CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter No
Exposure 80 kVp x 40 mAs or
breathing technqiue 80 kVp x 40 mA with 2 seconds exposure time see - lateral lumbar breathing technique
FFD / SID 100 cm
Central Ray CR perpendicular to long axis of spine
Larger patient - centre to iliac crest (L4-5)
Smaller patient - centre to L3 (lower costal margin) (4cm above iliac crest)
Collimation Inferior to Superior - collimate to film size
Lateral borders closely collimate (light field will appear small due to the patient being close to the X-ray tube)
Markers Superior and Lateral
Marker orientation AP
Shielding Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration Suspend respiration on expiration or use breathing technique
Positioning
  • Position patient lateral recumbent
  • Cushion for pstients head and knees flexed
  • Align mid coronal plane to CR and midline of table / grid
  • Radiolucent support may be placed under waist to get the spine parallel to table
  • Ensure pelvis and torso are in a true lateral position
  • CR perpendicular to long axis of spine
    • Larger patient - centre to iliac crest (L4-5)
    • Smaller patient - centre to L3 (lower costal margin) (4cm above iliac crest)
  • Suspend respiration on expiration or use breathing technique
see lateral lumbar spine radiography
Critique

 Positioning
Area Covered
Collimation
Exposure
Special Notes



AndyC
AndyC 		Latest page update: made by AndyC , Jun 19 2011, 4:43 PM EDT (about this update About This Update AndyC Edited by AndyC

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Keyword tags: lumbar lumbar lateral lumbar positioning lumbar spine lumbar technique
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