Chest -Lateral Decubitus
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Radiographic Positioning
Adult | Other related pages of interest |
Name of projection | Chest - Lateral Decubitus (either AP or PA) |
Area Covered | Lung fields, apices, costophrenic angles, heart |
Pathology shown | This projection is used to detect any air and fluid levels present in the pleural cavity. Air in the case of a pneumothorax or fluid in the case of pleural effusions. It also shows 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 Usually portrait (the long axis of the IR is parallel to the long axis of the torso) D.R. may cover 43 x 43 cm |
Film / Screen Combination | Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer) |
Bucky / Grid | Moving or Stationary Grid, portable X-ray may be done without grid |
Filter | No |
Exposure | 85 kVp 2.5 mAs no grid 100 kv 4 mAs with grid |
FFD / SID | 180cm |
Central Ray | Directed to the midsaggital plane at the level of T7 Perpendicular to the IR |
Collimation | Centre: T7 or the inferior border of the scapula Shutter A: Open to approximately 5cm above the shoulder to include upper airway Shutter B: Open to the level of the acromioclavicular joints (AC joints) laterally. This will include the lung fields laterally. |
Markers | Superior and Lateral Marker orientation either AP or PA, depending on the patient's positioning Marker indicating the side which is up |
Shielding | Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines) |
Respiration | On suspended deep inspiration |
Positioning |
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Critique | Positioning
Area Covered
Collimation
Exposure
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Special Notes | Left vs Right Lateral Decubitus Chest For possible fluid - put the suspected side down For possible air - put the suspected side up Annotations Indicate "Decubutis" on the image as well as the side up |