Shoulder - Glenohumeral (GH)

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Shoulder - Glenohumeral (GH) Also called: Glenoid cavity
Area Covered	Glenohumeral joint, humeral head, proximal humerus, acromion, acromion space, coracoid process, distal clavicle
Pathology shown	Demonstrates the integrity of the glenohumeral joint (dislocations), fractures
Radiographic Anatomy	Shoulder Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	18cm x 24cm Portrait
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Upright bucky Can be done out of bucky, change exposures accordingly
Filter	Shoulder filter
Exposure	65 kVp 16 mAs
FFD / SID	100cm
Central Ray	CR angled 15° to 22° caudal (to show acromion space) Directed to the glenohumeral joint
Collimation	Four sides of collimation Collimate so that the upper and lateral borders of the light field are to the soft tissue margins
Markers	Lateral and superior Marker orientation is AP
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Suspended
Positioning	Erect Patient standing with back to upright bucky Make sure the patient is standing straight with no tilt of the upper mid-coronal plane Turn the patient toward the affected side to get the glenoid cavity in profile. The amount of obliquity varies between patients, palpating the coracoid process and acromion angle and turning the patient until these are super-imposed, it is often in the range of 35° to 45° The body of the scapular should be parallel with the IR The humeral head should be in contact with the IR Internally rotate the arm (the opposite to an AP projection (see Shoulder - AP) May be performed supine
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Correct obliquity of the patient is evidenced by: The anterior and posterior rims of the glenoid cavity are super-imposed The glenohumeral joint is exhibited open Lateral aspect of the coracoid process slightly super-imposes humeral head Correct amount of caudal angling is evidenced by: Clear view of acromion space Area Covered Glenohumeral joint, humeral head, proximal humerus, acromion, acromion space, coracoid process, distal clavicle Collimation Exposure Bony trabeculation and cortical outlines are sharply defined Soft tissues are visualised
Special Notes