Imaging Upper Quarter Flashcards
What routine radiographs can we do for cervical spine?
- AP open mouth
- AP lower cervical spine
- Lateral
Less commonly: oblique
What does the AP open mouth positioning best demonstrate?
The AA joint
What will we find with the AP open mouth image?
- Dens is superimposed on anterior and posterior arches of C1
- arch borders image as lines so distinguish from fractures
What does AP lower cervical spine demonstrate best?
- demonstrates lower cervical vertebrae, upper thoracic, associated ribs and clavicles
What will we see on an AP Lower cervical spine image?
- vertically aligned vertebral bodies
- midline spinous processes
- lateral column: overlapping articular pillars and Z jts., one smooth bony column lateral to the bodies
What other structures can we see on a AP lower cervical spine image aside from the lower cervical spine?
- TPs difficult to discern
- U joints
- Air filled trachea
- Clavicles
What does a lateral image best demonstrate?
- alignment of all cervical vertebra
What is the normal alignment of the vertebral in a lateral image?
3 ~ parallel lines
What are the 3 parallel lines in the vertebra in a lateral image?
- anterior vertebral borders
- posterior vertebral borders
- spinolaminar line
What is the spinolaminar line?
- spinous process and laminae junction
- represents posterior extent of central spinal canal
What should the 3 parallel lines do?
Remain constant whether neck is in neutral, flexed, or extended aka stress views when investigating mechanical instability
What is lateral the BEST view for?
- view of disc spaces
- view for z joint spaces
What are the vertebral bodies looking like in a lateral image?
boxed with smooth edges
Why can you not really see the TPs in a lateral image?
Superimposed over bodies
What is the space between anterior dens and atlas indicating?
The distance kept by the transverse ligament
