Abdomen Positioning and Projections

Upright Abdomen

• What is the IR orientation for an Erect Abdomen? Portrait
• What SID is needed for an Erect Abdomen? 40 inches
• What mAs or AEC is used for Erect Abdomen? Center cell
• What kVp is used for an Erect Abdomen? 70-85
• Do you use a Grid for Erect Abd? No, it is already in the bucky
• Where are the Horizontal Crosshairs for Erect Abd? 2 inches above the iliac crest
• Where are the Vertical Crosshairs for Erect Abd? Patient's Midsagittal line
• Describe the Collimation for Erect Abd. 14 by 17, must require the symphysis pubis
• When to expose for Erect Abd? expose at the end of expiration

Flat Abdomen

• IR for Flat Abd: Portrait
• SID  for Flat Abd : 40 inch (37 inches from tube to table top- additional 3 inches to the IR in table bucky)
• mAs for Flat Abd: 20-50
• kVp for Flat Abd: 70-85
• Grid for Flat Abd? No, it is already in the bucky
• Horizontal Crosshairs  for Flat Abd: AT the iliac crest
• Vertical Crosshairs for Flat Abd: Patient's Midsagittal line
• Collimation for Flat Abd: 14 by 17, must require the symphysis pubis
• When to expose for Erect Abd? Expose at end of expiration

Left Lateral Decubitus

• IR for Decubitus: Portrait in reference to the patient's position
• SID  for Decubitus: 40 inch
• mAs for Decubitus: 20-50
• kVp for Decubitus : 70-85
• Grid for Decubitus ? Yes
• Horizontal Crosshairs for Decubitus : 2 inches above the iliac crest
• Vertical Crosshairs for Decubitus: Patient's Midsagittal line
• Collimation for Decubitus : 17 by 14;  must require the symphysis pubis
• When to expose for Decubitus? expose at the end of expiration

What does an Acute Abdomen series include? Upright Abd, Flat Abd, and PA Chest

PA Chest

• IR for PA Chest: Landscape typically
• SID  for PA Chest: 72 inch
• AEC for PA Chest: top two cells
• kVp for PA Chest: 110-125
• Grid for PA Chest? No, it is already in the bucky
• Horizontal Crosshairs  for PA Chest: T7
• Vertical Crosshairs for PA Chest: Patient's Midsagittal Line
• Collimation for PA Chest: 14 by 17; 2 inches above the shoulders
• When to expose for PA Chest: 2nd deep inhalation; hold for exposure