Rad Tech 270

Bony Thorax

Ribs

&Sternum

Rib Series

• AP or PA depending on the location of the patient’s pain– Inspiration above diaphragm– Expiration below diaphragm

• On initial presentation for trauma you will include a chest film

Ribs Cont.

• Generally, rib obliques are going to be unilateral

• An AO or PO oblique again depending of location of pain– Anterior pain, opposite AO oblique– Posterior pain, affected PO oblique

LAOFor Rt anterior ribs

RPOFor Rt posterior ribs

We are looking from the feet

Again we are looking from the feet

LAOFor Rt anterior ribs

LPOFor left posterior ribs

Which oblique do I do?

• The Rule is that the spinous process of the thoracic vertebra is always pointing away from the ribs of interest.

Pediatric rib fracture

Flail chestAt least2 fracturesIn 2 ribs

Hemothorax

Tension pneumothorax

CT tension pneumothorax

Bony mets

Sternum Series

• RAO– Breathing technique to minimize rib shadows– 30 inch SID is also recommended to help blur

the posterior ribs

• Lateral

This method requires that the patient lean over the table. From a practical stand point it doesn’t work very well.

Multiple myeloma

Infected SC joint

Metastatic breast cancer