Shoulder Girdle HO Includes clavicle, scapula, and proximal humerus
Shoulder AP (internal rotation):
- 10 x 12 crosswise
- acromion, surgical neck of humerus, lesser tubercle of humerus, and at least half of
clavicle should be seen (depending on Radiologist’s preference)
- glenohumeral joint adequately penetrated and visible
- lesser tubercle demonstrated in profile near the glenoid cavity
Shoulder AP (external rotation):
- 10 x 12 crosswise
- acromion, surgical neck of humerus, lesser tubercle of humerus, and at least half of
clavicle should be seen (depending on Radiologist’s preference)
- glenohumeral joint adequately penetrated and visible
- greater tubercle should be demonstrated in profile laterally
Axillary shoulder (Lawrence method):
- glenohumeral joint, acromion process, coracoid process, and surgical neck of humerus
should be included on film
- glenohumeral joint adequately penetrated and seen on film
- coracoid process should be seen anteriorly and acromion process should be visualized
through the humeral head
“Y” shoulder:
- acromion process, coracoid process, and inferior angle of the scapula should be
included on the film
- penetration and density should be sufficient to demonstrate humeral head through the
scapula
- scapula superimposed over humerus with acromion, coracoid, and body of scapula
appearing as a “Y” shape.
Note: location of the humeral head inferior to the coracoid process indicates
anterior dislocation; humeral head beneath acromion process indicates posterior
dislocation
AP Clavicle:
- entire clavicle, sternoclavicular joint, and acromioclavicular joint included on film
- penetrated so that lateral clavicle not overexposed, yet medial is clear and visible
- medial half of clavicle superimposed over ribs and lung
AP Axial Clavicle:
- entire clavicle, sternoclavicular joint, and acromioclavicular joint included on film
- penetrated so that lateral clavicle not overexposed, yet medial is clear and visible
- most of clavicle should be projected above thorax
AP scapula:
- entire scapula included on film
- bony trabeculae visualized while lung detail should be blurred
- medial half of scapula superimposed over ribs and lungs
- humerus at 90 degree angle with thorax
Lateral scapula:
- acromion process, coracoid process, and inferior angle of the scapula should be
included on the film
- penetration and density should be sufficient to demonstrate humeral head through the
scapula
- vertebral and axillary borders superimposed and body of scapula separated from thorax
Acromioclavicular Joints:
- Bilateral exposure if possible
- SC joints equidistant from spine (no rotation)
- penetrated so that lateral clavicles not overexposed, yet medial clavicles are clear and
visible
- should be done upright on expiration
- one exposure with weights and one without weights… and marked appropriately