• Patient is in a seated erect or semi-prone position with the affected side closest to the film.
• Fully extend the patient’s neck and center the region of maxillary sinus to the midline of the table.
• Rest the chin, cheek and nose on the grid device.
• Center the cassette to the orbit closest to the film.
• Midpoint of the film is approximately 2 inches above the floor of maxillary sinuses. Immobilize the head.
• Central ray is directed to the lower antrum at an angle of 25 to 30 degrees cephalad. Enters the neck posterior to the mandibular angle.
• Structure shown: demonstrate the floor and posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. Also it demonstrate the external orbital wall, zygomatic bone and anterior wall of maxillary sinuses of the side further from the film.
• Evaluation criteria: all facial bones should be included. Side being demonstrated should not be superimposed by the opposite side.
During a visit to a clinic I saw the greatest device for positioning and I thought that I’d mention it since you are writing about positioning the patient. This device – the Gymie-R from J2 Medical – allows you to position the cassette instead of the patient. It holds the cassette into any position that you need and makes the patient more comfortable. Just thought I’d fill you in about the product b/c it’s super helpful!
Thanks for filling me in about this new technology that will ease the radiologic technologists workload.. I’ll blog about it…