LATERAL ELBOW 

Pathology demonstrated : 

Fx or dislocation of elbow Osteoarthritis and osteomyelitis Elevated or displaced fat pads

IR Size : 

18*24

IR Position :

Crosswise / Tabletop

Sheilding :

place lead shield over patient’s lap

Patient Position :

seat pt at end of table, with elbow flexed 90°

Part position : 

Align forearm to long axis of cassette Center elbow joint to center portion of IR Drop shoulder so that humerus and forearm on same horizontal plane Rotate hand and wrist into true lateral position, thumb side up Place support under hand and wrist to elevate hand and distal forearm as needed for heavy muscular forearm so that forearm is // to IR for true lateral elbow

CR : 

CR ┴ to IR directed to midelbow joint (a point approximately 4 cm (1 ½ inches) medial to easily palpated posterior surface of olecranon process

Collimation :

collimate on 4 sides to area of interest

Criteria : 

Structures Shown: • A lateral projection of the distal humerus and proximal forearm, the olecranon process, and the soft tissues and fat pads of the elbow joint are visible.

Position:

 • Long axis of the arm should be aligned with the long axis of the IR, with the elbow joint flexed 90°.

 • About one-half of the radial head should be superimposed by the coronoid process, and the olecranon process should be visualized in profile. 

• A true lateral view is indicated by three concentric arcs of the trochlear sulcus, double ridges of the capitu-lum and trochlea, and the trochlear notch of the ulna. In addition, superimposition of the humeral epicondyles occurs