#X ray of cervical spine series

Are the three main contour lines/arcs normal (p. Are the other vertebrae (C3–C7) intact (p. A lateral cervical spine x-ray was subsequently obtained after the patient was placed in a halo traction device. This patient was noted to have a type III dens fracture on CT scan. Are the posterior arches of C1 and C2 intact?Ĩ. In a type III dens fracture, the fracture line extends into the body of the C2 vertebra. Is Harris’ ring 7 normal? A break in either the anterior or posterior margin of the ring indicates the high probability of a fracture of the Peg/body of C2 (p. Is the line of the posterior cortex of the Peg continuous with the posterior cortex of the body of C2? Any displacement or break indicates a Peg fracture.Ħ. Is the line of the anterior cortex of the Peg continuous with the anterior cortex of the body of C2? Any displacement implies a Peg fracture or fracture of C2 body.ĥ. Is the anterior cortex of the odontoid peg (the Peg) closely apposed to the “coffee bean”?Ĥ. Have I identified the anterior arch of the C1 vertebra (the “coffee bean”)?ģ. Is the radiograph technically adequate? Ensure that the C1–C2 articulation and the superior surface of the T1 vertebra are clearly seen.Ģ. This allows for discrepancies in the tilt of the head (flexion/extension of the cervical spine).1. To achieve the best angle, the central ray should be directed at an angle that parallels the plane of the mandible and then directed to just below the hyoid bone. An excessive or insufficient angle can distort these disc spaces. The thoracic vertebrae comprise the chest section and have ribs attached. The spine is divided into several sections. These are the 7 bones of the spine in the neck. Share A neck x-ray is an imaging test to look at the cervical vertebrae. To project the intervertebral disc spaces open, the central ray should be directed perpendicular to the long axis of the vertebral column 3, 4. X-ray - neck Cervical spine x-ray Lateral neck x-ray. This angle can and will vary between 5-20° depending on the position of the head. For this reason, a cephalic angle is required to project through the long axis of the vertebral column. Correcting tube angle errors and head tilt errorsĪ lordotic curvature exists in the cervical spine. The spinous process will rotate toward the pedicle of the side farther from the image receptor 3. The spinous process should be midline of the vertebral body, equidistant from both pedicles 3. Any deviation from the midline indicates rotation is present.

Rotation can be detected by looking at the spinous processes in relation to the pedicles. make sure that any removable artifacts such as earrings, glasses or metal dentures are removed to avoid obscuring the anatomy of interest.spinous processes should be midline, equidistant to the pedicles, indicating that there is no rotation.cervical spine intervertebral disk spaces should be open 2.superiorly to include C2 and inferiorly to include T2.This provides information on spinal alignment, presence of. X-rays: X-rays can show the boney structures of the spine.

laterally to include the entire cervical spine Myelogram: An X-ray of the spinal canal following injection of contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces can show pressure on the spinal cord or nerves due to herniated discs, bone spurs or tumors.

#X ray of cervical spine series

the central ray is midline centered at the level of C4 to enter immediately below the hyoid bone The cervical spine series is a set of radiographs taken to investigate the bony structures of the cervical spine, albeit commonly replaced by the CT, the cervical spine series is an essential trauma radiograph for all radiographers to understand.

chin should be raised to align the lower margin of the upper incisors to the mastoid tips/base of the skull (unless trauma when the patient is placed in a cervical collar).

patient shoulders should be at equal distances from the image receptor to avoid rotation.

patient positioned erect in AP position (unless trauma when the patient will be supine).

This projection helps to visualize pathology relating to C3-C7 in the anatomical position, demonstrating any compression fractures, clay-shoveler fractures and herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) 1.