HOW TO READ
SKELETAL X-RAY
Dr. Suheab Maghrabi
MBBS, MSc.
• X rays: Electromagnetic Radiation.
• Absorption varies between tissues.
• Bone
• Soft tissue
• Air
• Be systematic.
• Don’t rush to conclusions.
• Common rules:
1. Two views. At 90 degrees, usually anterior-posterior and lateral.
2. Two joints. The joints above and below.
3. Two occasions. Some fractures are not easily visible
immediately after trauma.
4. Two limbs. If required for comparison.
1. Patient profile.
2. Orientation.
3. Bone.
4. Joint.
5. Soft tissue.
• Patient profile
• Name.
• Date
• Adequacy (penetration, joint A/B)
• Orientation
• View (AP, L or special view).
• Side (R/L)
• Bone (which bone?).
• Joint.
• Bone:
• Deformity.
• Fracture:
• Location
• Pattern
• Deformity (distal in relation to proximal).
• Displacement
• Angulation
• Rotation
• Density.
• Radio-Lucent/Opaque.
• Joint:
• Dislocation.
• Fracture.
• Degeneration.
• Soft tissue:
• Swelling
• Calcification
Thank You