![]() Sudden severe injury to the neck may also contribute to disc herniation, whiplash, blood vessel destruction, vertebral bone or ligament injury and, in extreme cases, permanent paralysis. Severe stenosis requires referral to a neurosurgeon.Īge, injury, poor posture or diseases such as arthritis can lead to degeneration of the bones or joints of the cervical spine, causing disc herniation or bone spurs to form. Mild stenosis can be treated conservatively for extended periods of time, as long as the symptoms are restricted to neck pain. In addition, the degenerative changes associated with cervical stenosis can affect the vertebrae by contributing to the growth of bone spurs that compress the nerve roots. These changes result in a narrowing of the spinal canal. At the same time, the bones and ligaments that make up the spine become less pliable and thicken. ![]() As a result, the space between the vertebrae shrinks, and the discs lose their ability to act as shock absorbers. The discs in the spine that separate and cushion vertebrae may dry out and herniate. The delicate spinal cord and nerves are further supported by strong muscles and ligaments that are attached to the vertebrae.Ĭervical stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and is most frequently caused by aging. These nerves serve the muscles, skin and tissues of the body and thus provide sensation and movement to all parts of the body. The spinal cord is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and surrounded by three protective layers called the meninges ( dura, arachnoid, and pia mater).Īt each vertebral level, a pair of spinal nerves exit through small openings called foraminae (one to the left and one to the right). This space, called the spinal canal, is the area through which the spinal cord and nerve bundles pass. These discs allow the spine to move freely and act as shock absorbers during activity.Īttached to the back of each vertebral body is an arch of bone that forms a continuous hollow longitudinal space, which runs the whole length of the back. The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones ( C1-C7 vertebrae), which are separated from one another by intervertebral discs. if the patient is not on spinal precautions i.e.The neck is part of a long flexible column, known as the spinal column or backbone, which extends through most of the body.use two filters, one filter anterior and one superior this will even out the density.take your time setting the patient up, rushing this projection will only cause you headaches down the road.collimate incredibly tight, because this is such a high dose projection the scatter will be at an all-time high collimation will alleviate this.This projection is regularly high stakes in resuscitation rooms and is utilized to assess critical anatomy, for those who do not have the privilege to use a superior modality such as CT 1. The technique will vary from radiographer to radiographer however, they will all have their pitfalls. This projection is technically demanding and very hard to replicate consistently. The concept of this projection is to clear the superimposing humeral heads of the cervical spine, the offset of the arms attempts to achieve this. the articular pillars and zygapophyseal joints are superimposed.the vertebral bodies are superimposed laterally.there should be a clear visualization of C7 to T1.anterior to the extent of the vertebral bodies.2.5 cm above the jugular notch at the level of T1.the opposite arm is placed by the patient's side, as posterior to the patient as possible (maintaining spinal precautions if they are in place).the arm closest to the detector is placed above the patient's head, resting on the head for support.the detector is placed running parallel to the long axis of the cervical spine.the patient is supine or erect, depending on trauma or follow up.It can help to visualize subluxation and fractures involving the inferior cervical spine, superior thoracic spine and adjacent soft tissue. This view is most often performed when a standard lateral view cannot image the cervicothoracic junction due to patients having a dense, muscular shoulder.
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