Cervical - Cervicothoracic (Swimmers) (Pawlow Method)

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Cervical - Cervicothoracic (Swimmers) (Pawlow Method)
Area Covered	Lower cervical and upper thoracic (C4 - T3 region) - vertebral bodies, intervertebral disk spaces and zygapophyseal joints
Pathology shown	Payhology involving the inferior cervical spine, superior thoracic spine and adjacent soft tissue structures
Radiographic Anatomy	Cervical Spine Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	24 x 30cm Portrait
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter	No
Exposure	80 kVp 60 mAs
FFD / SID	150 - 180 cm
Central Ray	CR 3° to 5° caudad CR centred to T1 - approximately 2.5cm above sternal notch
Collimation	Four sides of close collimation to area of interest approximately 10 x 15cm in size
Markers	Anterior to Cervical Spine clear of perivertebral soft tissues Marker orientation AP
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Suspended respiration on expiration - the shoulders are able to relax downwards on expiration
Positioning	Ensure the removal of artefacts that may superimpose the anatomy of interest, such as necklaces and other jewellery The patient is on the table in a lateral recumbent position with the head elevated on the patients arm, sandbags of small pillow/sponge Centre median coronal plane of the body to the midline of the grid Adjust the support under the head and place another support under the lower thorax so that the long axis of the cervicothoracic vertebrae is horizontal Extend the arm which the patient is lying on above the head. Move the humeral head anteriorly or posteriorly Place the top arm at the patients side Adjust the body onto an exact lateral position Centre the cassette at the level of the jugular notch CR 3° to 5° caudad, CR centred to T1 - approximately 2.5cm above sternal notch Suspended respiration on expiration
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Area Covered Collimation Exposure
Special Notes