Oblique Shoulder for Scapular Fractures

Introduction

You could be forgiven for asserting that there is no such thing as an oblique projection of the shoulder as described on this page- it is simply a poorly positioned lateral scapula position or an even more poorly positioned AP shoulder position. The author's experience is that the oblique shoulder projection can be utilised to advantage in scapular body fractures.

Case 1

	This 30 year old male presented to the Emergency Department with a painful shoulder after a push-bike accident. He was examined and referred for left shoulder radiography. The radiographer positioned the patient for an AP shoulder projection with no patient rotation. A scapular fracture was revealed (not marked). Note that if the radiographer had positioned the patient in a more traditional AP shoulder position (i.e. more oblique), the fracture would be sited overlying the patient's ribs. There is an argument for performing trauma shoulder radiography with no patient obliquity.
	The lateral projection image did not demonstrate the fracture well
	The radiographer positioned the patient for an oblique shoulder projection in an attempt to better demonstrate the scapular fracture. The fracture is clearly demonstrated in this projection.

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