Soft Tissue Neck Positioning

Question 1

What IR is used for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 1

10 x 12 portrait

Question 2

What is the SID for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 2

72”

Question 3

What are the structures seen for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 3

• Soft tissue density of pharyngolaryngeal structures
• Area from nasopharynx to uppermost part of the lungs
• No superimposition of the trachea by the shoulders
• Closely superimposed mandibular shadows
• Throat filled with air
• Inlcude EAM to jugular notch

Question 4

How is the patient positioned for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 4

• Left lateral position at upright bucky
• Elevate chin slightly
• depress shoulders as much as possible
• MSP parallel with plane of IR

Question 5

Where is the MSP for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 5

Parallel with IR

Question 6

Where is the CR for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 6

• C4 to demonstrate the larynx, laryngeal pharynx, and upper end of esophagus
• 1” below EAM for nasopharynx
• Level of mandibular angles for oropharynx

Question 7

What breath is the exposure taken for a left lateral soft tissue neck?

Answer 7

inhalation of quiet nasal breathing

Question 8

What is the IR for an AP soft tissue neck?

Answer 8

10 x 12 portrait

Question 9

What is the SID for an AP soft tissue neck?

Answer 9

40”

Question 10

How is the patient positioned for an AP soft tissue neck?

Answer 10

• Patient is AP upright
• Extend patient’s head slightly to prevent mandibular shadow from obscuring laryngeal area
• Center MSP to midline of IR

Question 11

Where is the CR for an AP soft tissue neck?

Answer 11

Perpendicular to C4

Question 12

What breathing technique is used for an AP soft tissue neck?

Answer 12

Inhalation of quiet nasal breathing

Question 13

What are the structures seen for an AP soft tissue neck?

Answer 13

• Area from the superimposed mandible and base of skull to the lung apicies and superior mediastinum
• No overlap of the laryngeal area by the mandible
• No rotation of neck
• Throat filled with air