Sacrum AP
Position the Patient
- Supine
- Legs extended
- Mid-sagittal plane centered to IR
Words That Work
“Lie flat on your back with your legs straight and your toes pointing up. Keep your hips level and don’t let your body roll. I’ll angle the X-ray beam slightly upward to see your sacrum clearly through the pelvis. Take a breath in, breathe all the way out, and hold still.”
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AP sacrum - room setup
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- 2" superior to pubic symphysis; 15° cephalic
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Sacrum region
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 75-85 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Sacrum foreshortened (incorrect 15° cephalic CR angle)
- •SI joints not symmetrical
- •Rotation
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Entire sacrum
- Sacral foramina
- SI joints
Does the image pass?
- ✓Sacrum not foreshortened
- ✓Symmetrical SI joints
- ✓Sharp bony detail