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Lumbar Lateral L5-S1 Spot
Position the Patient
- Lateral recumbent
- Knees flexed
- Arms forward
- Mid-coronal plane centered to IR
Words That Work
“Stay on your side with your knees comfortably bent. Keep your shoulders and hips stacked—like building blocks—so you don’t roll forward or backward. I’ll adjust you slightly and center closely over the lowest part of your back to get a clearer view of the space between your last lumbar vertebra and your sacrum. Breathe all the way out and hold still.”
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Lateral L5-S1 spot positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- 1.5" inferior to iliac crest; 2" posterior to ASIS
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- L4–S2
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 90-100 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •L5-S1 joint space not open
- •Rotation
- •Incorrect centering
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- L5–S1 joint space
Does the image pass?
- ✓Joint space open
- ✓No rotation
- ✓Sharp bony detail