lungs and chest cavity. The patient lies down and reclines backward. Just the upper part of the chest needs to be visible. The chest PA oblique film or the Moore method is used primarily to get a view of the sternum. It is a modified prone film in which the patient stands and bends at the waist. The arms are placed above the head. The entire sternum should be visible on the chest x-ray. The Kurzbauer method is related to this but images the sternoclavicular articulation. The ribs are detected with oblique views. The patient can stand or sit erect for this evaluation. A left or right oblique film can be obtained. If the patient cannot stand or sit, they can lie supine and can be supported with pillows. The arms are raised as high as possible so the ribs can be visualized. In infants up to fifteen kilograms, the child can be held erect and will hang by the upper arms with the feet supported. Ideally, the film should be taken when the infant is inspiring and when not moving. Infants up to ten kilograms can be assessed with an AP supine film. The beam is directed between the nipples.
ABDOMINAL FILMS Abdominal films can assess the stomach, intestines, liver, and spleen in evaluating abdominal pain or other GI symptoms, although a CT scan or contrast study would be better. A related evaluation of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder is called a KUB film. The plain film is best used for gallstones, genitourinary stones, intestinal or stomach perforation, gastrointestinal obstruction, or for foreign body evaluation. Catheter placement is done using a plain film x-ray. A good quality film will show the entire abdomen, from the diaphragm to the pelvis. The radiologist should use the mnemonic BBC in evaluating this type of film. The BBC stands for bowel and other organs, bones, and calcifications. Usually, an AP film is gotten in the supine patient with the patient breathing out completely. Other abdominal films that can be gotten include the AP erect film to demonstrate intestinal obstruction or perforation. The diaphragm should be seen to evaluate the
16
