Cervical - AP Vertibral Arch

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Cervical - AP Vertibral Arch
Area Covered	Cervical vertebra from C4 to C7. Posterior elements of mid and distal cervical and proximal thoracic vertebrae
Pathology shown	Pathology of posterior vertebral arch aspects of C4 to C7 or spinous processes of cervicothoracic vertebra
Radiographic Anatomy	Cervical Spine Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	18 x 24 cm Portrait
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter	No
Exposure	65 kVp 16 mAs
FFD / SID	100 cm
Central Ray	CR angled 20° to 30° caudal CR directed to enter at lower margin of thyroid cartilage
Collimation	Centre: lower margin of thyroid cartilage, collimate to the 18 x 24cm film size Shutter A: Open so that the light of the collimated field just includes the top of the ear. Shutter B: Open to include the soft tissue of the neck laterally
Markers	Lateral Marker orientation AP
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Suspended
Positioning	In general, Ensure the removal of artefacts that may superimpose the anatomy of interest Only request the patient move into position if the possibility of spinal injury has been ruled out Take care to ensure no rotation of either the head, neck or torso. Patient is supine with arms at side, Position the IR patient so that it is either in the table bucky, or is on the barouche posterior to the cervical spine Position the midsagittal plane so that it is perpendicular to the IR Hyperextend the neck (if patient is able) CR angled 20° to 30° caudal CR directed to enter at lower margin of thyroid cartilage
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Area Covered Collimation Exposure
Special Notes