Osteology of the shoulder

Question 1

what are the 3 main projections used for shoulder x-ray

Answer 1

AP shoulder
lateral humerus and scapula
oblique shoulder

Question 2

describe the positioning centring and collimation for an ap shoulder x-ray

Answer 2

posterior aspect of the shoulder is in contact with the image receptor
- the hand is supponated and the arm is abducted
- head should be turned to the opposite shoulder

• centring should be at the corocoid process withn collimation including the proximal third of the humeral shaft, the medial end of the clavical and the inferior aspect of the scapula

Question 3

evaluate this image

Answer 3

the humerus is clear of any soft tissue of the trunk

the full length of the clavicle, the scapula and the proximal third of the humerus are all present

soft tissues from lateral and superior margins are included

Question 4

explain the positioning, centring and collumation for an AP oblique shoulder

Answer 4

same as regular AP shoulder but the patient should be turend 45 degrees in the direction of the affected shoulder

Question 5

evaluate this image of an oblique shoulder x-ray

Answer 5

proximal third of the humeral shaft, medial end of the clavicle and the scapula are present.

greater tuberosity can be seen

the humerus is clear of any soft tissue from the trunk

Question 6

describe the positioning, centring and collimation required for an axial shoulder x-ray

Answer 6

patient leans over the table with arm abducted over the image receptor

• centring at the head of the humerus with collimation including the corocoid process, acromion and the proximal third of the humerus