finger/thumb Image Critique

What are the 3 parts of the routine finger views?

PA, oblique, lateral

For a Finger PA, what would be the criteria for an acceptable image?

• Evidence of proper collimation and presence of side marker placed clear of anatomy of interest

• Entire digit from fingertip to distal portion of the adjoining metacarpal

• No soft tissue overlap from adjacent digits

• No rotation:

  • Equal concavity of both sides of the phalangeal bodies

  • Equal amount of soft tissue on both sides of the phalanges

• Fingernail, if seen, centered over the distal phalanx

• Open interphalangeal (IP) and MCP joint spaces

• Bony trabecular detail and surrounding soft tissues

Is this image acceptable? If not, why?

YES!

Is this image acceptable? If not, why?

• Rotation

• DIP and PIP are closed due to flexion

• Insufficient collimation (entire 3^rd digit is  visualized)

Is this image acceptable? If not, why?

Acceptable

Is this image acceptable? If not, why?

No, Rotation

Is this image acceptable? If not, why?

Yes, acceptable

Is this image acceptable? If not, why?

• DIP and PIP are closed due to flexion

• Digit not centered to central ray (CR)

• Insufficient collimation from side-to-side

For an Oblique PA, what would be the criteria for an acceptable image?

• Evidence of proper collimation and presence of side marker placed clear of anatomy of interest

• Entire digit, including the distal portion of the adjoining metacarpal

• Digit rotated at a 45-degrees, demonstrated by the concavity of the elevated side of the phalangeal bodies

• No superimposition of the proximal phalanx or MCP joint by adjacent digits

• Open interphalangeal (IP) an MCP joint spaces

• Bony trabecular detail and surrounding soft tissues