Cervical spine series
The cervical spine series is a set of radiographs taken to investigate the bony structures of the cervical spine, albeit commonly replaced by the CT, the cervical spine series is an essential trauma radiograph for all radiographers to understand.
Indications
Cervical spine radiographs are indicated for a variety of settings including 1-3:
- trauma
- infection
- atypical pain
- limb pain
- osteoporosis
- degenerative changes
A decision to pursue c-spine imaging of any kind should be cross-referenced with the 'Canadian C-Spine Rule' for c-spine imaging due to its high sensitivity and specificity 4
Projections
Standard projections
Note: in the absence of CT 5 views of the C-spine should be performed, AP, lateral, obliques and odontoid 5 .
-
AP
- anteroposterior projection of the cervical spine demonstrating the vertebral bodies and intervertebral spaces
-
lateral
- often utilized in trauma demonstrated
- zygapophyseal joints
- soft tissue structures around the c spine
- spinous processes
- anterior-posterior relationship of the vertebral bodies
- often utilized in trauma demonstrated
-
odontoid
- also known as a 'peg' projection it demonstrates the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis)
-
AP oblique
- demonstrates the intervertebral foramina of the side positioned further from the image receptor
-
PA oblique
- demonstrated the intervertebral foramina of the side positioned closer to the image receptor
Additional projections
-
cervicothoracic view
- modified lateral projection of the cervical spine to visualize the C7/T1 junction
-
flexion-extension lateral
- specialized projections of the cervical spine often requested to assess for spinal stability.
-
Fuchs view
- nonangled AP radiograph of C1 and C2. it should not be used in a trauma setting
Related Radiopaedia articles
Radiographic views
- radiographic positioning and terminology
- systematic radiographic technical evaluation
- chest radiography
- pediatric chest radiography
- abdominal radiography
- pediatric 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
- 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 sinus and facial bone 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