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An MRT critiques an image of an anteroposterior (AP) pelvis. The left obturator foramen is narrower than the right. What should the MRT do?

a. Rotate the patient to the left
b. Rotate the patient to the right
c. Accept the image
d. Internally rotate both feet

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User R Arun
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

In an AP pelvis image, if the left obturator foramen is narrower than the right, the MRT should not accept the image but should instead reposition the patient by internally rotating both feet, to align the hip joints and obtain symmetrical representation of the pelvic anatomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) critiques an image of an anteroposterior (AP) pelvis and notices that the left obturator foramen is narrower than the right, it suggests that the patient may have been rotated or positioned incorrectly. The obturator foramen is a large opening in the anterior hip bone, between the pubis and ischium regions, which serves for the attachment of muscles on both its internal and external surfaces. Ideally, an AP pelvis should be symmetrical, meaning the obturator foramina should appear similar in size and shape.

Since the left obturator foramen appears narrower, the patient might need to be positioned correctly by internally rotating both feet. This maneuver helps ensure that the hip joints are properly aligned in the image. It's not typically a matter of rotating the patient to the left or to the right. Therefore, if the obturator foramen is not visible in a symmetrical fashion, the technologist should not accept the image and should adjust the patient's positioning to attain a better representation of the pelvic anatomy.

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User Jugal Thakkar
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