ABDOMINAL X-RAY - POSTEROANTERIOR (PA) | PRONE POSITION

PA - PRONE POSITION: ABDOMEN 

Pathology Demonstrated:

• Pathology of abdomen, including bowel obstruction, neoplasms, calcifications, ascites, and scout image for contrast medium studies of abdomen.

Note:

• This projection is less desirable than the AP if the kidneys are of primary interest because of the increased object image receptor distence (OID).

Technical Factor:

• IR size - 35 x 43 cm (14 x 17 inches), lengthwise
• Moving or stationary grid
• 70 - 80 kV range

Shielding:

• Use gonadal shields on male (also on females of reproductive age, only if such shielding does not obscure essential anatomy as determined by a physician).

Patient Position:

• Prone with midsagital plane of body centered to midline of table and/ or IR
• Legs extended with support under ankles
• Arms up beside head; clean pillow provided

Part Position:

• No rotation of pelvis or shoulders and thorax
• Center of IR to illiac crest

Central Ray

• CR perpendicular to and directed to center of IR (to level of illiac crest)
• Minimum SID of 40 inches (100cm)

Collimation:

• Collimate closely on all sides to skin margins and on top and bottom to IR borders.

Respiration:

• Make exposure at end of expiration.

Note:

• Tall, asthenic-type patients may require two images placed lengthwise; broad hypersthenic type may also require two images placed crosswise.