Acromioclavicular joint series
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint radiographic series is used to evaluate the acromioclavicular joint and the distal clavicle.
Indications
AC radiographs are performed for a variety of indications including:
- shoulder trauma
- direct blows to the shoulder region
- following a fall onto an adducted arm
- suspected dislocation
- suspected arthritis
Projections
Standard projections
-
AP view
- erect view demonstrating the AC joint in the anteroposterior plane
- best view to inspect widening of the AC joint
Additional projections
-
AP with weight bearing
- also known as a stress view, the patient holds onto a weight on the affected side, placing inferior pressure on the AC joint
- this view is used to rule out displacement when it is suspected yet not confirmed on the AP view
- AP comparison views
- both AC joints are imaged separately, to rule out a suspected displacement or differentially anatomical variation
-
Zanca view
- AP projection with a 10-15 degree cephalad angle to free the AC joint from superimposition
Related Radiopaedia articles
Imaging the shoulder
-
imaging the shoulder
- plain film
- ultrasound shoulder
- CT shoulder
- MRI shoulder
Radiographic views
- imaging in practice
- paediatric radiography
- general radiography (adult)
- shunt series
- chest radiography
- abdominal radiography
-
upper limb radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
- scapula series
-
shoulder series
- AP view
- internal rotation view
- external rotation view
- superoinferior axial view
- inferosuperior axial view
- modified trauma axial
- supine lateral
- modified supine lateral
- Y lateral view
- AP glenoid view (Grashey view)
- apical oblique view (Garth view)
- humerus (neck) AP view
- humerus axial (bicipital groove) view (Fisk view)
- outlet view (Neer view)
- Stryker notch view
- acromioclavicular joint series
- clavicle series
- sternoclavicular joint series
- arm and forearm radiography
- wrist and hand radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
-
lower limb radiography
- pelvic girdle radiography
- thigh and leg radiography
- ankle and foot radiography
- skull radiography
-
paranasal sinuses and facial bones radiography
- facial bones
- Caldwell view (angled skull PA view)
- nasal bones
- zygomatic arches
- orbits
- paranasal sinuses
- temporal bones
- dental radiography
- orthopantomography (OPG)
- mandible
- temporomandibular joints
- spine radiography