A lateral cervicothoracic projection (Twining method) demonstrates closed intervertebral disk spaces and distorted vertebral bodies. How was the patient mispositioned for such a projection to be obtained?
A) The midcoronal plane was not aligned parallel with the IR.
B) The arm situated farther from the IR was not depressed.
C) The patient was rotated anteriorly.
D) The midsagittal plane was not aligned parallel with the IR.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A lateral cervicothoracic projection should be taken with the midsagittal plane of the patient aligned parallel with the IR. If the patient is mispositioned, the intervertebral disk spaces may appear closed and the vertebral bodies may appear distorted, as described in the scenario. Option A may result in elongation of the cervical vertebrae, but this would not explain the closed intervertebral disk spaces. Option B would not affect the cervical vertebrae and disk spaces imaged in the lateral cervicothoracic projection. Option C may result in asymmetry between the two sides of the cervical vertebrae, but would not cause closed intervertebral disk spaces.

A Lateral Cervicothoracic Projection (Twining Method) Demonstrates Closed Intervertebral Disk