Question

A radiograph of an oblique lumbar spine reveals the downside pedicle and zygapophyseal joint are posterior in relation to the vertebral body. What modification of the position must be made during the repeat exposure to make the image more diagnostic?

Answer 1

To improve the diagnostic quality of an oblique lumbar spine radiograph where the downside pedicle and zygapophyseal joint are posterior, the patient's position needs adjustment, possibly by increasing body rotation or adjusting lateral tilt.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a radiograph of an oblique lumbar spine reveals that the downside pedicle and zygapophyseal joint are positioned posteriorly in relation to the vertebral body, the patient's position may need to be adjusted for a repeat exposure to improve the diagnostic quality of the image. To correct the positioning, the patient might need to increase the rotation of their body or adjust their lateral tilt so that the spine is more directly aligned with the x-ray beam. This will help ensure that the pedicle and zygapophyseal joint are properly visualized in relation to the vertebral body without undue rotation or tilting, leading to a more diagnostic image.