Presentation
Low-risk road traffic accident with complaints of neck pain and tenderness of right lower ribs.
Patient Data
The heart size is normal with no consolidation, pneumothorax or pleural effusion seen. No displaced rib fracture is detected as well.
The anatomy of left anterior oblique chest is shown below:
Case Discussion
This case is an example of a normal ribs series comprising the PA chest and oblique ribs views, which are part of the ribs fracture protocol in the department that this patient presented at. The patient was in a left anterior oblique (LAO) position, hence allowing elongation and better visualization of the right ribs laterally.
A frontal (PA or AP) ribs projection may also be requested depending on departments. This projection applies a lower kV higher mAs technique to highlight bony structures and is hence unlike a standard chest radiograph.
It is important to note that in some parts of the world, e.g. the United Kingdom, it is against best practice to perform a rib series for uncomplicated rib fractures as diagnosing them does not change patient management 1.
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