Radiographic Protocols

A quick-reference guide for basic routine series and special case projections.

Region

Facial Bones

Routine Series

Occipitomental (OM) Waters
PA Caldwell
Lateral Facial Bones

Additional / Special Views

Occipitomental (OM) Waters 20 Down Performed routinely at some select sites only

Sinuses

Routine Series

PA Caldwell
Occipitomental (OM) Waters Open Mouth
Lateral Facial Bones

Nasal Bones

Routine Series

Occipitomental (OM) Waters
Nasal Bone Lateral (R & L) Perform both right and left nasal bone lateral views

Orbits

Foreign Body Check

Occipitomental (OM) Waters Eyes Open
Occipitomental (OM) Waters Eyes Closed
Lateral Orbits

MRI Screening Check

Occipitomental (OM) Waters Eyes Open
Occipitomental (OM) Waters Eyes Closed

Routine Trauma Series

Occipitomental (OM) Waters
PA Caldwell
Lateral Orbits

Additional / Special Views

Rhese | Oblique Orbits Less commonly performed due to CT

Skull

Routine Series

PA Skull Sometimes performed AP
Townes
Lateral Skull

Additional / Special Views

PA Caldwell Performed routinely at some select sites only
Submentovertex (SMV) Performed when requested by referrer or radiologist

Mandible

Routine Series

PA Caldwell Collimated to mandible
Lateral Mandible Affected side close to the detector
Oblique / Lazy Lateral (R & L) Perform with both right and left sides

Additional / Special Views

Orthopantomogram (OPG) Performed when requested by referrer or radiologist

Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ)

Routine Series

Orthopantomogram (OPG)
Orthopantomogram (OPG) TMJ

Cervical Spine

Routine Series

Lateral C-Spine
AP C-Spine
Odontoid / Peg
PA Obliques (R & L) Should not be performed in a trauma setting

Additional / Special Views

AP Obliques (R & L) Can replace PA Obliques, although less common
Swimmer's View Performed to visualise the C7/T1 junction if not visible on Lateral C-Spine
Flexion & Extension Lateral Performed when requested by referrer to assess for spinal stability
Fuchs View Should not be used in a trauma setting. Used to visualise C1 and C2

Chest

Routine Series

PA Erect Chest
Lateral Chest

Pneumothorax Series

PA Erect On Inspiration
PA Erect On Expiration
Lateral Chest

Paediatric Series (0-4 years)

AP Supine/Sitting Chest Sitting is preferred but depends on presentation

Paediatric Series (5-15 years)

PA Erect Chest

Ribs

Routine Series

PA Erect Chest
Lateral Chest Performed with affected side closest to detector
AP/PA Unilateral Ribs Performed AP if posterior rib pain and PA if anterior rib pain
AP/PA Unilateral Oblique Ribs

Sternum

Routine Series

PA Oblique Sternum (R & L) RAO is more common than LAO due to visiblity
Lateral Sternum

SC Joints

Routine Series

PA SC Joint
PA Oblique SC Joint (R & L) Perform with both right and left sides

Thoracic Spine

Routine Series

AP T-Spine
Lateral T-Spine

Additional / Special Views

Flexion & Extension Lateral Performed when requested by referrer.

Abdomen

Routine Series

PA Erect Abdomen
AP Supine Abdomen

Additional / Special Views

Lateral Decubitus Abdomen Alternative to PA Erect Abdomen to assess for free gas
Dorsal Decubitus HBL Abdomen Performed when requested
Kidney-Ureters-Bladder (KUB) Performed when requested

Pelvis

Routine Series

AP Pelvis Performed Erect or Supine depending on site and referrer

Peadiatric Series

AP Supine Pelvis
Frog Leg View

Additional / Special Views

Orthopaedic View (Higgs View) Performed when patient has hip prothesis not entirely visualised in AP Pelvis
Inlet View Evaluation of posterior displacement of both main pelvic ring and fractures of pubic symphysis
Outlet View Evaluation of suspected cephalic shift of hemipelvis
Flamingo View Evaluation of suspected pubic symphysis instability

Lumbar Spine

Routine Series

AP L-Spine
Lateral L-Spine

Additional / Special Views

Lateral L5/S1 Performed to visualise L5/S1 joint if not visible on routine views on Lateral
Oblique L-Spine (L & R) Performed when requested. Visualise articular facets and pars interarticularis
Flexion & Extension Lateral L-Spine Performed when requested by referrer

Sacrum

Routine Series

AP Sacrum
Lateral Sacrum

SI Joints

Routine Series

AP SI Joint
Oblique SI Joint (R & L) Perform with both right and left sides

Coccyx

Routine Series

AP Sacrum
AP Coccyx
Lateral Coccyx

Clavicle

Routine Series

AP Clavicle
AP Axial Clavicle

Shoulder

Routine Series

AP Shoulder
Glenoid View
Lateral (Y-Scapula) Shoulder

Additional / Special Views

Axial Shoulder Performed routinely at some select sites.

Scapula

Routine Series

AP Scapula
Lateral (Y-Scapula) Shoulder

Acromioclavicular Joints

Routine Series

AP Clavicle
Zanca View / AP Axial Clavicle

Additional / Special Views

AP Clavicle W/ Weight Bearing Performed when requested or to rule out suspected displacement.
AP Comparison Clavicle Performed when requested or to rule out suspected displacement.

Humerus

Routine Series

AP Humerus
Lateral Humerus

Elbow

Routine Series

AP Elbow
Oblique Elbow
Lateral Elbow

Additional / Special Views

Radial Head Lateral Performed when hard to visualise radial head or suspected radial head fracture

Forearm

Routine Series

AP Forearm
Lateral Forearm

Hand

Routine Series

DP Hand
Oblique Hand
Lateral Hand

Additional / Special Views

Ball Catchers Performed when suspected Rheumatoid arthritis or bilateral joint pain

Wrist

Routine Series

PA Wrist
Oblique Wrist
Lateral Wrist

Additional / Special Views

Scaphoid View Performed when suspected scaphoid fracture or pain at anatomical snuff box.
Scaphoid Oblique View Performed when suspected scaphoid fracture or pain at anatomical snuff box.

Fingers

Routine Series

DP Finger
Oblique Finger
Lateral Finger

Thumb

Routine Series

AP or PA Thumb
Oblique Thumb
Lateral Thumb

Hip

Routine Series

AP Pelvis Performed Erect or Supine depending on site and referrer
Lateral Hip

Additional / Special Views

HBL Shoot Through Hip Performed if Lateral Hip cannot be done due to immoblity
Modified Axiolateral Hip Performed if HBL Shoot Through Hip cannot be done due to immoblity
Judets View Performed when requested by referrer to visualize the acetabulum

Femur

Routine Series

AP Proximal Femur
AP Distal Femur
Lateral Proximal Femur
Lateral Distal Femur

Additional / Special Views

HBL Distal Femur Performed if Lateral Distal Femur cannot be done due to immoblity
HBL Proximal Femur Performed if Lateral Proximal Femur cannot be done due to immoblity

Knee

Routine Series

AP Knee Weigth bearing preferred unless patient is unable
Lateral Knee
Rosenberg View Not performed if history of knee replacement
Skyline View

Major Trauma Series

AP Supine Knee
HBL Knee

Additional / Special Views

Patella Obliques (Internal & External) Performed if requested or if suspected patellar fracture.
Intercondylar View Performed if requested or if suspected tibial plateau fracture.
Comparison Lateral Knee Performed when suspected Osgood Schlatter disease.

Tibia and Fibula

Routine Series

AP Lower Leg
Lateral Lower Leg

Ankle

Routine Series

AP Ankle Performed weight bearing when requested.
Mortise Ankle Performed when requested to assess for suspected ankle fractures or ligamentous injuries.
Lateral Ankle Performed when requested to assess for suspected ankle fractures or ligamentous injuries.

Additional / Special Views

Saltzmann View Performed when requested to assess hindfoot alignment

Foot

Routine Series

DP Foot Performed weight bearing when requested or suspected flat foot, bunions or Lisfranc injuries.
Oblique Foot Performed when requested to assess foot alignment or suspected fractures.
Lateral Foot Performed when requested to assess foot alignment or suspected fractures.

Toes

Routine Series

DP Toes
Oblique Toes
Lateral Toes

Calcaneus

Routine Series

Axial Calcaneum
Lateral Calcaneum