Hand series
Last revised by Andrew Murphy on 23 Mar 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Shetty A, Murphy A, Knipe H, et al. Hand series. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-29804
Permalink:
rID:
29804
Article created:
24 Jun 2014,
Aditya Shetty
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Aditya Shetty had no recorded disclosures.
View Aditya Shetty's current disclosures
Last revised:
23 Mar 2023,
Andrew Murphy ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Andrew Murphy had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Andrew Murphy's current disclosures
Revisions:
21 times, by
11 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Hand series x rays
- Hand series radiographs
The hand series consists of posteroanterior, oblique, and lateral projections. Although additional radiographs can be taken for specific indications.
The series primarily examines the radiocarpal and distal radioulnar joints, the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges.
Indications
Hand x-rays are indicated for a variety of settings, including:
- trauma with suspected fracture
- suspected metacarpal dislocation
- foreign body detection and localization
- investigation of joint pain and/or deformity
- rheumatoid arthritis
- osteoarthrosis
Projections
Standard projections
-
PA view
- demonstrates the metacarpals, phalanges, radius and ulna in the natural anatomical position
- excellent view to inspect the metacarpals
- ideal for identifying early signs of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
-
oblique view
- external oblique projection of the hand
-
lateral view
- projection 90° to the PA view demonstrates multiple carpal bones overlapping, often used to determine fracture displacement
- used to localize foreign bodies
Additional projections
- lateral fan view: offers a view of the individual middle and distal phalanges, avoiding overlap
- lateral flexion view
- ball-catcher view (also known as Nørgaard projection): specialized view used to demonstrate the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, often requested in the context of rheumatoid arthritis
References
- 1. Whitley AS, Sloane C, Hoadley G et-al. Clark's positioning in radiography. Hodder Arnold Publication. ISBN:0340763906. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
Incoming Links
Articles:
Related articles: Radiographs (adult)
- general radiography (adult)
- radiographic positioning terminology
-
systematic radiographic technical evaluation (mnemonic)
- portable radiography
- chest radiography
- abdominal radiography
-
upper limb radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
- scapula series
-
shoulder series
- shoulder (AP view)
- shoulder (internal rotation view)
- shoulder (external rotation view)
- shoulder (superior-inferior axial view)
- shoulder (inferior-superior axial)
- shoulder (West Point view)
- shoulder (Velpeau view)
- shoulder (modified trauma axial view)
- shoulder (supine lateral view)
- shoulder (modified transthoracic supine lateral)
- shoulder (lateral scapula view)
- shoulder (AP glenoid view)
- shoulder (Garth view)
- shoulder (outlet view)
- shoulder (Stryker notch view)
- acromioclavicular joint series
-
clavicle series
- clavicle (AP view)
- clavicle (AP cephalic view)
- clavicle (oblique view)
- sternoclavicular joint series
- arm and forearm radiography
- wrist and hand radiography
- wrist series
- scaphoid series
- hand series
- thumb series
- fingers series
- rheumatology hands series
- bone age (radiograph)
-
shoulder girdle radiography
-
lower limb radiography
- pelvic girdle radiography
- thigh and leg radiography
- ankle and foot radiography
- skull radiography
-
paranasal sinus and facial bone radiography
- facial bones
- mandible
- nasal bone
- zygomatic arches
- paranasal sinuses
- temporal bones
- dental radiography
- orthopantomography
- temporomandibular joints
- temporomandibular joint (AP axial view)
- temporomandibular joint (axiolateral oblique view)
-
spinal radiography
- cervical spine series
-
thoracic spine series
- thoracic spine (AP view)
- thoracic spine (lateral view)
- thoracic spine (oblique view)
- lumbar spine series
- sacrococcygeal radiography