Soft Tissue Neck

Technical Factors

• SID:

  • Lateral: 72” 

  • AP: 40”

• Collimation Field Size: 10 x 12 

• IR Alignment: Portrait 

• Grid: Yes 

• kVp Range: 75 to 85 

Lateral Neck SID, why is it that distance?

72” - to account for the space between the neck and IR

AP Neck SID

40”

Soft Tissue Neck Collimation Field

10” x 12”

Soft Tissue Neck IR Alignment - Portrait or Landscape

Portrait

Soft Tissue Neck kVp

75-85

Anatomy Visualized

• Larynx filled with air

• Trachea filled with air

• Epiglottis

Respiration for Soft Tissue Neck

Exposure during a slow, deep inspiration

Why is the exposure taken on a slow, deep inhalation?

To ensure filling of trachea and upper airway with air. Creates black areas where air is to see surrounding structures.

Lateral Patient Positioning

• Patient upright, if possible, seated or standing in a lateral position 

• Rotate shoulders posteriorly with arms hanging down and hands clasped behind back 

Raised chin slightly and have patient look directly ahead 

Lateral Positioning/Instruction for:

• Top of IR alignment

• CR

• Collimation

• Respiration

• Top of IR at level of external auditory meatus (EAM) 

• CR: Level of C6 or C7, midway between the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage and jugular notch 

• Collimation: Collimate to region of soft tissue of neck 

• Respiration: Make exposure during a slow, deep inspiration to ensure filling trachea and upper airway with air 

AP Patient Positioning

• Patient upright, if possible, seated or standing with back of head and shoulders against IR 

• Align midsagittal plane with CR and with midline of grid or table 

• Chin is slightly elevated 

AP Positioning/Instruction for:

• Top of IR alignment

• CR

• Collimation

• Respiration

• Top of IR about 1 to 1½ inches below EAM 

• CR: Level T1-T2, about 1 inch above the jugular notch 

• Collimation: Collimate to region of soft tissue of neck 

• Respiration: Make exposure during a slow, deep inspiration to ensure filling trachea and upper airway with air