Transcript for:
Radiographic Procedures for Elbow Views

[MUSIC PLAYING] In this view, we will be demonstrating the AP elbow. The AP elbow should be performed with the patient seated at the end of the radiographic table, with the image receptor placed tabletop, with a 40 inch source-to-image distance, and no tube angulation. So I have the patient sit at the end of the table at a right angle to the table. We have a shield placed on her lap. She's going to outstretch her arm, and her arm is going to be supinated with her palm of her hand up. We're going to center right in the middle of the elbow joint. So I'm going to make it more comfortable for her. We're going to put the long axis of her arm down the long axis of the IR, the central ray right at the elbow joint. We want to extend our collimation to about an inch on either side. We want about 2 to 2 and 1/2 inches into the humerus and down into the radius and the ulna. We want to place our marker. And here you will see the distal humerus, the elbow joint, and the proximal radius, and ulna. The patient will hold very still and then the exposure is taken. A diagnostic AP elbow radiograph must be free of motion and rotation. Demonstrated anatomy to include the radial head, neck and tuberosity slightly superimposed over the proximal ulna with proper visualization of soft tissue and bony detail. In this view, we will demonstrate the medial oblique elbow. The medial oblique elbow should be performed with the patient seated at the end of the radiographic table, with the image receptor placed tabletop with a 40 inch source-to-image distance, and no tube angulation. For the medial oblique, we're going to let her arm just relax towards the midline of the body, and it's at a 45 degree angle. We're still centered at the elbow joint. Our collimation remains the same. And on this particular view we will see the coronoid. A diagnostic medial oblique elbow radiograph must be free of motion and a 45 degree medial rotation. Demonstrated anatomy to include the coronoid process in profile and the radial head and neck superimposing the ulna, with proper visualization of soft tissue and bony detail. In this view, we will be demonstrating the lateral oblique elbow. The lateral oblique elbow should be performed with the patient seated at the end of the radiographic table, with the image receptor placed tabletop, with a 40 inch source-to-image distance, and no tube angulation. The lateral oblique, we're going to have the patient rolled to the lateral side. It is an awkward position to hold. We're going to still center at the elbow joint. We're rolling away from the midline, So we're rolling to the lateral side. We're going to see the radial head and the radial neck, and we'll definitely see the distal humerus and the proximal radius and ulna, and the patient holds very still. A diagnostic lateral oblique elbow radiograph must be free of motion and have a 45 degree medial rotation. Demonstrated anatomy to include the radial head and neck will be projected free of the ulna with proper visualization of soft tissue and bony detail. In this view, we will be demonstrating the lateral elbow. The lateral elbow should be performed with the patient seated at the end of the radiographic table, with the image receptor place tabletop, with a 40 inch source-to-image distance, and no tube angulation. So our patient is now 90 degrees or her palm is exposed like this, and we are going to turn the IR. It is essential that her arm is down, touching the table top so her arm or elbow is in truly a lateral position. So the olecranon is in profile here. We're still centering on top of the elbow joint. We're going to extend that collimation to about 2 and 1/2 inches into the radius and ulna, and the exposure is made. A diagnostic lateral elbow radiograph must be free of motion and rotation with the elbow flexed 90 degrees. Demonstrate the anatomy to include the superimposed humeral epicondyles, with proper visualization of soft tissue and bony detail. [MUSIC PLAYING]