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Cervical Spine Oblique (RPO/LPO)
Position the Patient
- Upright
- Rotate patient 45°
- Chin raised slightly
- Head straight
- RPO: Right posterior side toward IR
- LPO: Left posterior side toward IR
Words That Work
“Turn your whole body about 45 degrees—like a statue rotating on its base. Keep your head, shoulders, and hips moving together without twisting your neck. Lift your chin slightly, like looking just above the horizon. This angle opens the small passageways where the nerves leave your neck so we can see them more clearly. Breathe out, hold still, and don’t move.”
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Oblique cervical spine - room setup
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- C4; 15–20° cephalic
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Base of skull to T1
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40-60"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 70-85 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Incorrect rotation angle (not 45°)
- •Jaw covering the spine
- •Motion
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Base of skull to T1
- Intervertebral foramina (side farthest from IR)
- Pedicles
Does the image pass?
- ✓Correct 45° rotation
- ✓Jaw not covering spine
- ✓No motion