Lumbar - Oblique

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Lumbar Spine - Oblique
Area Covered	L5 - S1 , zygapophyseal joints (RPO and LPO show downside, RAO and LAO show upside), "scotty dogs" visualised, both right and left obliques are performed
Pathology shown	Defects of the pars interaerticularis, spondylolysis
Radiographic Anatomy	Lumbar Spine Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	35 x 43cm
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter	No
Exposure	75kVp 40 mAs
FFD / SID	100 cm
Central Ray	CR perpendicular to IR Centre to lower costal margin (L3) 4cm above iliac crest
Collimation	Four sides of collimation collimate to area of interest
Markers	RPO and LPO - marker orientation AP RAO and LAO - marker orientation PA RPO and LPO shows downside, RAO and LAO shows upside zygapophyseal joints
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Suspend respiration on expiration
Positioning	Patient semi supine on the table for (RPO and LPO) or semiprone (RAO and LAO) Rotate the body 45 to place spinal column directly over midline of table / grid Flex knee for comfort and stability Support lower back and pelvis with radiolucent sponges to maintain the position CR perpendicular to IR Centre to lower costal margin (L3) 4cm above iliac crest see oblique lumbar spine technique
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Area Covered Collimation Exposure
Special Notes