BONTRAGER; RADIOGRAPHIC
POSITIONING CHAPTERS 8&10 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) 3 days ago is
experiencing severe neck pain and comes to the radiology department for a cervical
spine series. The patient is not wearing a cervical collar. Should the technologist
take a horizontal beam lateral projection and have it cleared before proceeding with
the study? Explain. - ANSWER-Yes. The technologist needs to assume there may
be a fracture present. A horizontal beam lateral projection should be taken for all
suspected trauma to the cervical spine. A physician must examine the radiograph
and clear the patient for the remaining projections.
A patient with a possible Jefferson fracture enters the ER. Which specific radiograph
position best demonstrates this type of fracture? - ANSWER-AP "open mouth"
projection.
*A horizontal beam lateral projection must be taken and cleared first
A radiograph of an AP "open mouth" projection of the cervical spine demonstrates
the upper incisors superimposed over the top of the dens. Which specific positioning
error is present on this radiograph? - ANSWER-Excessive flexion of the skull
A patient comes to the radiology department for a follow-up study for a clay
shoveler's fracture. Which spine projections will best demonstrate this type of
fracture? - ANSWER-AP and lateral cervical spine projections
A patient comes to the radiology department for a follow-up study 6 months after
having spinal fusion surgery of the lower cervical spine (C5-C6). The surge wants to
check for anteroposterior mobility of the fused spine. Beyond the basic cervical spine
projections, what additional projections can be taken to assess mobility of the spine?
- ANSWER-AP and lateral cervical spine projections
Which technical factor is most important in producing a high-quality CR image? -
ANSWER-Collimate as close as possible
Which imaging modalities is recommended for a "teardrop burst" fracture? -
ANSWER-CT
Fracture though the pedicles and anterior arch of C2 with forward displacement upon
C3 - ANSWER-Hangman's fracture
Inflammation of the vertebrae - ANSWER-Spondylitis
Comminuted fracture of the vertebral body with posterior fragments displaced into
the spinal canal - ANSWER-Teardrop burst fracture
Avulsion fracture of the spinous process of C7 - ANSWER-Clay shoveler's fracture
, Which ligament holds the dens against the anterior arch of C1? - ANSWER-
Transverse atlantal ligament
A short column of bone found between the superior and articular processes in a
typical cervical vertebra is called: - ANSWER-Articular pillar (lateral mass)
The name of the joint found between the superior articular processes of C1 and the
occipital condyles of the skull? - ANSWER-Occipitaoatlantal joints
Two partial facets found on the thoracic vertebrae are called ________. - ANSWER-
Demifacets
What are two distinctive features of all cervical vertebrae that make them different
from all other vertebrae? - ANSWER-Each have three foramina (one in each
transverse process in addition to the vertebral foramina)
Bifid spinous processes
What is one feature of all thoracic vertebrae that makes them different from any
other vertebrae? - ANSWER-The presence of facets for articulations with the ribs
Which specific joint spaces are visualized with a left anterior oblique (LAO) projection
of the thoracic spine? - ANSWER-Left zygapophyseal joints (downside joints)
Schuermann's disease is a form of __________. - ANSWER-Scoliosis and/or
kyphosis
Which two things can be done to minimize the effects of scatter radiation on lateral
projections of the thoracic and lumbar spine? - ANSWER-Close side collimation
Place a lead mat on tabletop behind patient
Which position or projection best demonstrates the zygapophyseal joints between
C1 and C2? - ANSWER-AP "open mouth" projection
How much and in which direction should the CR be angled for an AP axial C-spine? -
ANSWER-15-20 degrees cephalic
How much and in which direction should the CR be angled for an anterior oblique
projection of the C-spine? - ANSWER-15 degrees caudal
How much and in which direction should the CR be angled for an posterior oblique
projection of the C-spine? - ANSWER-15 degrees cephalic
Which projection of the cervical spine demonstrates the left intervertebral foramen? -
ANSWER-Left anterior oblique (LAO)
Which foramina are demonstrated with a left posterior oblique (LPO) position of the
cervical spine? - ANSWER-Right intervertebral foramina
POSITIONING CHAPTERS 8&10 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) 3 days ago is
experiencing severe neck pain and comes to the radiology department for a cervical
spine series. The patient is not wearing a cervical collar. Should the technologist
take a horizontal beam lateral projection and have it cleared before proceeding with
the study? Explain. - ANSWER-Yes. The technologist needs to assume there may
be a fracture present. A horizontal beam lateral projection should be taken for all
suspected trauma to the cervical spine. A physician must examine the radiograph
and clear the patient for the remaining projections.
A patient with a possible Jefferson fracture enters the ER. Which specific radiograph
position best demonstrates this type of fracture? - ANSWER-AP "open mouth"
projection.
*A horizontal beam lateral projection must be taken and cleared first
A radiograph of an AP "open mouth" projection of the cervical spine demonstrates
the upper incisors superimposed over the top of the dens. Which specific positioning
error is present on this radiograph? - ANSWER-Excessive flexion of the skull
A patient comes to the radiology department for a follow-up study for a clay
shoveler's fracture. Which spine projections will best demonstrate this type of
fracture? - ANSWER-AP and lateral cervical spine projections
A patient comes to the radiology department for a follow-up study 6 months after
having spinal fusion surgery of the lower cervical spine (C5-C6). The surge wants to
check for anteroposterior mobility of the fused spine. Beyond the basic cervical spine
projections, what additional projections can be taken to assess mobility of the spine?
- ANSWER-AP and lateral cervical spine projections
Which technical factor is most important in producing a high-quality CR image? -
ANSWER-Collimate as close as possible
Which imaging modalities is recommended for a "teardrop burst" fracture? -
ANSWER-CT
Fracture though the pedicles and anterior arch of C2 with forward displacement upon
C3 - ANSWER-Hangman's fracture
Inflammation of the vertebrae - ANSWER-Spondylitis
Comminuted fracture of the vertebral body with posterior fragments displaced into
the spinal canal - ANSWER-Teardrop burst fracture
Avulsion fracture of the spinous process of C7 - ANSWER-Clay shoveler's fracture
, Which ligament holds the dens against the anterior arch of C1? - ANSWER-
Transverse atlantal ligament
A short column of bone found between the superior and articular processes in a
typical cervical vertebra is called: - ANSWER-Articular pillar (lateral mass)
The name of the joint found between the superior articular processes of C1 and the
occipital condyles of the skull? - ANSWER-Occipitaoatlantal joints
Two partial facets found on the thoracic vertebrae are called ________. - ANSWER-
Demifacets
What are two distinctive features of all cervical vertebrae that make them different
from all other vertebrae? - ANSWER-Each have three foramina (one in each
transverse process in addition to the vertebral foramina)
Bifid spinous processes
What is one feature of all thoracic vertebrae that makes them different from any
other vertebrae? - ANSWER-The presence of facets for articulations with the ribs
Which specific joint spaces are visualized with a left anterior oblique (LAO) projection
of the thoracic spine? - ANSWER-Left zygapophyseal joints (downside joints)
Schuermann's disease is a form of __________. - ANSWER-Scoliosis and/or
kyphosis
Which two things can be done to minimize the effects of scatter radiation on lateral
projections of the thoracic and lumbar spine? - ANSWER-Close side collimation
Place a lead mat on tabletop behind patient
Which position or projection best demonstrates the zygapophyseal joints between
C1 and C2? - ANSWER-AP "open mouth" projection
How much and in which direction should the CR be angled for an AP axial C-spine? -
ANSWER-15-20 degrees cephalic
How much and in which direction should the CR be angled for an anterior oblique
projection of the C-spine? - ANSWER-15 degrees caudal
How much and in which direction should the CR be angled for an posterior oblique
projection of the C-spine? - ANSWER-15 degrees cephalic
Which projection of the cervical spine demonstrates the left intervertebral foramen? -
ANSWER-Left anterior oblique (LAO)
Which foramina are demonstrated with a left posterior oblique (LPO) position of the
cervical spine? - ANSWER-Right intervertebral foramina
