Lecture 6 - Spine Radiographs

What are some indications that a spine radiograph may be required?

Hunched appearance, trauma, suspected IVDD (inttervertebral disc disease)

What are some things to consider before doing a spine radiograph?

Be mindful of position and patient comfort, can use sedation if needed

How would you position an animal for a lateral cervical spine radiograph?

- Neck is slightly extended;

- Foam wedge under mandible and thorax to keep parallel;

- Measure at thoracic inlet;

- Front limb pulled back caudally

What are the borders for a lateral cervical spine radiograph?

Cranial: Base of skull;

Caudal: T1;

Center: C4-5

How would you position an animal for a VD cervical spine radiograph?

- Front limbs pulled back caudally;

- Foam wedge under nose to keep parallel

What are the borders of a VD cervical spine radiograph?

Cranial: Base of skull;

Caudal: T1;

Center: C4-5

How would you position an animal for a lateral thoracic spine radiograph?

- Front limbs pulled cranially;

- Hind limbs pulled caudally;

- Foam wedge under thorax;

- Towel between front and hind limbs to stop rotation

What are the borders of a lateral thoracic spine radiograph?

Cranial: C7;

Caudal: L1;

Center: T7

How would you position an animal for a VD thoracic spine radiograph?

- Front limbs pulled cranially;

- Hind limbs pulled caudally;

- V-trough to prevent rotation

What are the borders of a VD thoracic spine radiograph?

Cranial: C7;

Caudal: L1;

Center: T7

How would you position an animal for a lateral lumbar spine radiograph?

- Front limbs pulled cranially;

- Hind limbs pulled caudally;

- Foam wedge under thorax;

- Towel between front and hind limbs to stop rotation

What are the borders of a lateral lumbar spine radiograph?

Cranial: T13;

Caudal: S1;

Center: L4

How would you position an animal for a VD lumbar spine radiograph?

- Front limbs pulled cranially;

- Hind limbs pulled caudally

What are the borders of a VD lumbar spine radiograph?

Cranial: T13;

Caudal: S1;

Center: L4

How would you position an animal for a lateral thoracolumbar spine radiograph?

- Front limbs pulled cranially;

- Hind limbs pulled caudally;

- Foam wedge under thorax;

- Towel between front and hind limbs to stop rotation

What are the borders of a lateral thoracolumbar spine radiograph?

Cranial: T11;

Caudal: L4;

Center: T13

When doing a radiograph of a long bone, how far above and below the break should you x-ray?

The joint above and below the bone of interest

When doing a radiograph of a joint, how far above and below the break should you x-ray?

1/3 of the bones above and below

What are some indications that a limb radiograph may be needed?

- Trauma;

- Limping/Lameness;

- Stiffness;

- Suspected tumors;

- Swelling

What are some common diseases/ problems that would warrant the need for a limb radiograph?

- Elbow dysplasia;

- Hip dysplasia;

- CCL (Cranial cruciate ligament) tears

What are some common diseases associated with the hind limb?

- CCL (Cranial cruciate ligament) tears;

- Stifle OCD lesions;

- Luxating patellas;

- Hip dysplasia

What is the Penn Hip Evaluation?

A special, patented procedure to predict the development of hipdysplasia using joint laxity

What are the three views required for the Penn Hip Evaluation?

Compression (legs together), Distraction (legs apart), and Extended (legs extended caudally)

How would you position an animal for a lateral scapula radiograph where the affected limb is up?

- Affected limb up and pulled cranially over zygomatic arch;

- Other limb pulled down and away from body;

- Skull and neck in a natural position

How would you position an animal for a lateral scapula radiograph where the affected limb is down?

- Legs should be scissored apart;

- Affected limb pulled cranially;

- Foam wedge under sternum to stop rotation