Chest Lateral
Position the Patient
- Upright
- Left side against IR
- Arms raised
- Chin up
Words That Work
“Turn sideways and place your left side flat against the board. Stand tall—don’t lean or twist. Raise both arms above your head and keep your elbows high. Lift your chin. Take a deep breath in, blow it all the way out, then take one more deep breath in and hold it. Hold still.”
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Lateral chest positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- T7 (min-thorax)
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire lung fields · Sternum to posterior ribs
- Set the distance
- SID
- 72"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 110-125 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Arms not raised above head, superimposing the lung fields
- •Rotation (posterior ribs not superimposed)
- •Insufficient inspiration
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Lungs
- Heart
- Mediastinum
- Pleura
Does the image pass?
- ✓Clavicles more horizontal
- ✓Heart magnified
- ✓Entire lungs included
- ✓No rotation