Chest - Dorsal Decubitus

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Chest - Dorsal Decubitus
Area Covered	Lung fields, apices, costophrenic angles
Pathology shown	Pathologies involving the lung fields, changes in fluid position from PA/AP view and reveals any previously obscured pulmonary areas
Radiographic Anatomy	Chest Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	35 x 43 cm Landscape
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter	No
Exposure	110 kVp 8 mAs
FFD / SID	180cm
Central Ray	Directed to the mid coronal plane at the level of T7 Perpendicular to the IR
Collimation	Centre: The mid coronal plane at the level of T7 Shutter A: Open to include the skin margins anteriorly and posteriorly Shutter B: Open to include lung apices superiorly (this is at the C7 level) and to include the diaphragm inferiorly
Markers	Superior and Anterior Marker orientation AP Marker the side closest to the IR
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	On suspended deep inspiration
Positioning	Patient supine on the X-ray table Raise the thorax off the table 5 to 8cm using a firm mattress (to prevent cutting off essential anatomy) Keep patient in position for 5 minutes prior to exposure to allow air to rise and fluid to settle Adjust body into true supine position and extend arms above the head Place affected side next to upright bucky / vertically placed IR CR directed to the mid coronal plane at the level of T7, perpendicular to the IR
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Area Covered Collimation Exposure
Special Notes