Sternum/Lateral Position (L or R)

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Sternum - Lateral (Left or Right)
Area Covered	Entire length of sternum in profile
Pathology shown	Fractures
Radiographic Anatomy	Sternum Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	24 x 30 cm Portrait
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter	No
Exposure	75 kVp 25 mAs
FFD / SID	100 cm
Central Ray	Directed to the sternum, midway between the jugular notch and the xiphoid process
Collimation	Centre: Mid sternum (midway between the jugular notch and the xiphoid process) Shutter A: Open to the film lengthwise, ensuring the jugular notch is included superiorly Shutter B: Open to include whole of sternum, collimate tightly. Note: take care to suspend respiration to keep the sternum within the tightly collimated field.
Markers	Superior and Anterior (optional) Marker indicates the side closest to the IR or bucky Marker orientation AP
Shielding	Gonadal(check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	On suspended inspiration
Positioning	Patient erect, with either side touching the bucky Have the patient bring their hands together behind their back and push their chest out ('pigeon chested' position) Ensure the patient is not rotated and the sternum is in a true lateral position
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning The patient is in a lateral position as evidenced by no superimpostion of ribs over the sternum The patient is in a 'pigeon chested' position as evidenced by no superimposition on the sternum by humerii shoulders soft tissue Area Covered The entire length of the sternum is seen in profile Collimation Centre: Mid sternum Shutter A: Open to show the entire sternum from the jugular notch superiorly to the xiphoid sternum inferiorly Shutter B: Tightly collimated to show the entire sternum in profile Exposure There should be adequate exposure so that cortical outlines are sharply defined the entire sternum is seen
Special Notes