How To Correctly Rotate A Lateral Chest X-Ray Perfectly - Every Time!!!

[@juliek5618]

My program director has stated that a true lateral at 90 degrees will have some magnification and separation of the ribs due to divergence of the beam and SID. By rotating the torso past 90 degrees just to superimpose the ribs, we are not taking a true lateral. The goal is to take a lateral, not to superimpose the ribs. Maybe some rads want the superimposition, maybe not. But it's important to know what you're doing and why.

[@nancyseay3982]

I don't repeat lateral chests anymore, thank you!

[@positioningx-raysperfectly4733]

Wow, you really really really really really good or you just don’t care. I hope it’s the former.

[@positioningx-raysperfectly4733]

Repeating and submitting a lateral is a very good idea and it allows the radiologist to see the anatomy from a slightly different perspective. And that might just be enough for them to say they wanna call the patient back for additional films or maybe to follow up with the CT scan. You never know, they see things that will never see. And it might be on that repeat or on the original.

[@nancyseay3982]

@@positioningx-raysperfectly4733 Hello! I still do repeat but the number has gone down drastically. I very much do care because I'm currently a student and I don't call the shots on whether repeats are submitted but I agree with you.

[@positioningx-raysperfectly4733]

My apologies, I totally agree. You’re right, as a student you don’t really get to have a say in too much. Sounds like you’re doing it right. Just getting as much information as you can and then making that exam your own. I’m glad you were able to get some benefit from my video.Have a great day, have a great day as a student, remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will be on your own soon. You’ve chosen a great career, I’ve been in it for 29 years. Have a great day, Jeff