This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
A shoulder series (or shoulder x-ray) is most frequently performed following trauma looking for evidence of fracture or dislocation.
Reference article
This is a summary article. For more information, you can read a more in-depth reference article: shoulder series.
Summary
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indications
- suspicion of bony injury
- concern for dislocation
- shoulder pain or restriction of movement
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procedure
- AP view of the shoulder
- front-on view of the shoulder girdle including the entire clavicle and scapula
- there are several potential seconds views
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Y-view: useful when looking for shoulder dislocation
- angled along the scapula blade
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axial: used in general trauma
- looking up through the shoulder
- Garth's view: often utilized when the should is unable to be abducted
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Y-view: useful when looking for shoulder dislocation
- AP view of the shoulder
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similar tests
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clavicle x-ray
- only used when the suspicion is of clavicle pathology
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clavicle x-ray
- important pathology