SHOULDER GIRDLE

Standard Shoulder Views:

*a. AP Internal Rotation *b. Grashey (oblique) *c. Scapular Y-view (oblique) *d. Axillary Lateral or Transthoracic Lateral/ Lawrence

method (when pts. can’t lift arm) e. AP External Rotation or Neutral

Rotation

AP Rt Shoulder Internal Rotation

* This image is clipping the end of the clavicle and scapula

Structures shown:AP Shoulder * The entire scapula, clavicle

and the proximal humerus

Internal rotation shows lesser tubercle in profile

* this is different then Merrill’s

External vs. Internal Rotation

ExternalSee arrow for greater tubercle

InternalSee arrow for lesser tubercle

Greater Tubercle

AP Internal Rotation:

This view is taken with the arm internally rotated. The humeral head is rotated so that structures not seen in the external rotation view may now be seen. Note the following differences in the views:

The greater tubercle is anterior on the humeral head and cannot be clearly seen (it is in the most lateral portion of the humeral head on the external rotation view).

****The lesser tubercle is seen medially (it is not seen on the external rotation view).

The glenohumeral joint is still partially obscured by the humeral head. The entire clavicle and scapula should be on the film

You should be able to identify the AC joint, coracoid process, acromion, clavicle, the scapula and glenohumeral joint.

AP RT Shoulder Internal Rotation

BursitisAP Rt Shoulder Neutral Rotation

What is wrong with this shoulder?AP Lt Shoulder ? Internal or external rotation

Grashey Rt Shoulder

Structures shown:Humeral head, open glenoid cavity and

the neck of the scapula

Grashey:

Start with patient AP (standing is easier on the pt.) and roll onto affected shoulder about 45 degrees.* With arm internally rotated (some site use and external rotation)

You want to get the glenoid

cavity in profile

You can cone in on this one!

Structures shown : Joint space open between the humeral head and glenoid cavity (scapulohumeral joint)

Is it open? Grashey Rt Shoulder

No: roll patient up onto shoulder more

Scapular Y Right Shoulder**Preferred

Trauma pt

PA

AP

R

Y-view : PA oblique projection

When the shoulder is being imaged to rule out dislocation or proximal humeral fracture, the patient’s humerus should not be moved.

The PA method is the preferred method(less magnification) but when doing a trauma patient you should not stand them up or roll them PA so do them AP.

The Y-view is taken by aligning the plane of the scapula parallel with the x-ray beams so that it can be seen "floating" over the thoracic rib cage. In a healthy patient, have their arm hanging down to their side, the humeral head should be in alignment with the glenoid fossa of the scapula. However, following a traumatic dislocation, leave the arm in the position it is in! The humeral head will not be resting in the glenoid fossa when dislocated

Structures shown: the scapula ,coracoid, acromion and the humeral head

You should be able to identify the scapula in profile, coracoid, acromion, humeral head as it overlies the glenoid fossa, the humeral shaft and the clavicle.

Can you see the “Y”? What side of the scapula is the humeral head on?

Normal Anterior dislocation

Posteriordislocation

Posterior

Anterior

PosteriorAnterior

Coracoid

Acromion

Did you know?Posterior shoulder dislocations, places the

humeral head posterior, and beneath the acromion process

Anterior shoulder dislocations, places the humeral head anterior, and beneath the coracoid

Axillary Lateral Rt Shoulder

Inferosuperior

Superior to Inferior

Superoinferior

Axillary Lateral View:

The x-ray beam is directed either up into

the axilla (inferosuperior), or from the superior aspect of the shoulder down through the axilla (superoinferior). The axillary shows whether the humeral head is within, the glenoid fossa.

Structures shown : Proximal humerus, Scapulohumeral joint, coracoid process, and the AC articulation.

Do you have:Open scapulohumeral jointCoracoid process projected above the

clavicleLesser tubercle in profile and directed

anteriorlyAC joint projected through the humeral

head**Is there extra soft tissue in the axilla

(Breast tissue)

Transthoracic Lt Shoulder

pacemaker

Fractured Anatomic Neck

Transthoracic Lateral (Lawrence Method)Usually done on trauma patientsDone in place of the axillary viewUsually done as is. If patient is supine do

supine, if patient is sitting up do sitting up. You need to raise the uninjured arm above the head. Need to get the unaffected shoulder up and out of the way. Ask patient if they can move the other arm first.

Structures shown: Lateral projection of the shoulder and head of the humerus through the thorax.

Fractured Head of HumerusTransthoracic Rt Shoulder

Do you have:The proximal humerus on the imageCan you see scapula, clavicle and humerus

through the lung fieldScapula superimposed over the thoracic

spineUnaffected clavicle and humerus

projected above the shoulder closest to the IR

AP Rt Shoulder External Rotation

This view is taken with the patient in the AP position either standing, sitting or laying down depending on the patient. The arm is

externally rotated so that the thumbs points laterally.

Structures shown: Entire clavicle ,scapula and proximal humerus

****The greater tubercle in the lateral aspect of the humeral head.

Superior part of the humeral head obscures the glenoid fossa.

Entire Scapula (the spine, borders and tip), and AC joint.

The view of the coracoid process is head-on.

Structures that you should be able to identify include the AC joint, coracoid process, acromion, glenohumeral joint, greater tubercle of the humerus and surgical neck of humerus.

AP External Rotation: ***not a protocol film

AP shoulder films are taken in internal and external rotation to improve visibility of components of the head of the humerus (the greater and lesser tubercles), the clavicle and scapula. This is a good overview of the shoulder.

But:

The Y-view and transthoracic view are used to evaluate for dislocations, where is the head of the humerus sitting compared to the joint space?

DID YOU KNOW?

HFH TRAUMA

SHMC TRAUMA

AC jointsStandard views:

AP Bilateral AC Joints with out weights

AP Bilateral AC Joints with weights

AP Rt AC joint with out weights AP Lt Ac joint with out weighs

AP Bilateral AC Joints With Out Weights

with out wts

The patient stands in the anatomical position and an AP film is taken that includes both AC joints (right and left) at the same time (2;8x10’s ,7x17, or 14x17 ). This allows comparison of the two joints. A second film is taken with the patient in the same position, but while holding weights in both arms(give the patient the weight very carefully). This is the "stress view", and helps in diagnosing AC joint separation by increasing the load that the joint has to bear. If there is ligamentous injury, the joint space will widen.

The two spaces requiring careful evaluation are the (1)acromioclavicular joint space and the (2)coracoclavicular space. Both should be symmetric on right and left and should not be abnormally widened. Increased distances across the spaces indicate a degree of joint separation or sprain. The film from the previous slide was taken of a college football player who suffered an AC separation on the right. Note the widening compared to the left side.

You should be able to see the following anatomical structures: bilateral: clavicles (distal ends if two films are taken), acromion, coracoid process, and humeral heads.

One 14x17 cut in half AP Bilateral AC Joints With Out Weights

AP Bilateral AC Joints with weights

1

2

Scapula

Standard views: AP/Lateral

AP Rt ScapulaLateral Rt Scapula

ScapulaAP: **Abducted arm (per patient’s condition)

Structures shown: A true AP projection of the scapula shows the lateral portion of the scapula free of superimposition from the ribs and the rest of the scapula seen thru the ribs.

AP RT Scapula

RT

Lateral Lateral Rt Scapula

* PA patient preferred

AP patient position

• Lateral:** (PA patient)RAO/LAO preferred (usually done upright) roll patient 45 to 60 degree toward affected side or (AP patient) RPO/LPO (usually done supine) roll pt. 15-25 degrees away from affected side

• Structures shown: A lateral projection of the entire scapula. Scapular lateral border should not be superimposed on the ribs. ***Humerus should not superimposed the area of interest. Acromion process should be on film.

LPO

RAO

Shows Rt Scapula Shows Rt scapula

OUCH!

Scap “y”, Outlet and Lateral Scapula how do you tell them a part?

Central ray: is it angled? 10-15 caudal for a outlet view. Where is it centered? The scapulohumeral joint or mid scapula

What do they show? The whole scapula, the head of the humerus vs the joint or acromion and AC joint areaWhat position is the arm in? Is it neutral for

dislocation or is it moved to see the scapula?

* I will not test you on the outlet view!

Lateral scapula Scap Y Outlet

Arm out of the way Arm relax Tube angle

Clavicle

Standard views: AP and AP axialStructures shown: Entire clavicle on one

film. Even density from tip to middle to end. AP axial shows the same structures but most of the clavicle should be above the ribs and scapula. Clavicle should look more horizontal.

AP Rt Clavicle

AP Axial Rt Clavicle

RT

AP Ltclavicle

AP axial

L

AP Axial Lt clavicle

Why do we angle?

AP Lt clavicle

AP Axial Lt clavicle