Pediatric skull (lateral view)

The lateral skull view for pediatrics is one of two views to examine the skull and nasal bones.

Indications

This projection demonstrates an overview of the entire skull and is useful in identifying fractures and foreign bodies in pediatric patients. This view also presents an orthogonal view to the posteroanterior skull view.

Patient position

• the patient is either erect or supine

• the patient's left side of the head is in contact with the image detector

Technical factors

• lateral projection

• centering point

  • 4cm above the external auditory meatus

• collimation

  • superior to the skin margins

  • inferior to the base of the skull

  • anterior to the frontal bone

  • posterior to the skin margins

• orientation  

  • landscape

• detector size

  • 24 cm x 30 cm

• exposure ¹

  • 70-77 kVp

  • 4-12 mAs

• SID

  • 100 cm

• grid

  • no

Image technical evaluation

Superimposed temporomandibular joints with an in-profile sella turcica ². A physical metal marker is ideal for pediatric imaging. 

Practical points

Preparing the room beforehand (setting up the detector, exposure and preparing lead gowns) is important as pediatric patients may not remain still.

Immobilization techniques

The radiograph should be free from motion artifacts and rotation to avoid repeated x-rays.

• it may be necessary for the parent or radiographer to hold the patient in position

• ideally, the parent should be in the child's direct line of sight

• techniques will vary based on the department

• distraction techniques can be utilized to avoid scattered radiation to parents and staff ³