Introduction
Imaging techniques
Conventional radiography
ACR | RCR and RCPCH |
---|---|
Thorax (AP and lateral), to include ribs,a thoracic and upper lumbar spine | AP thorax, right and left oblique
b views of the ribs |
Pelvis (AP), to include the mid lumbar spine | Pelvis (AP) |
Lumbosacral spine (lateral) | Lumbosacral spine (lateral) |
Cervical spine (AP and lateral) | Cervical spine (lateral) |
Skull (frontal and lateral), additional views if needed—oblique or Towne view | Skull (frontal and lateral), Towne view if occipital injury suspected |
Humeri (AP) | Humeri (AP)c
|
Forearms (AP) | Forearms (AP) |
Hands (PA) | Hands (PA) |
Femora (AP) | Femora (AP) |
Lower legs (AP) | Lower legs (AP) |
Feet (PA) or (AP) | Feet (AP) |
Bone scintigraphy
Other imaging techniques
Fractures
Type and location of fracture | |
---|---|
High specificity | Classic metaphyseal lesions |
Rib fractures, especially posterior | |
Scapular fractures | |
Spinous process fractures | |
Sternal fractures | |
Moderate specificity | Multiple fractures, especially bilateral |
Fractures of different ages | |
Epiphyseal separations | |
Vertebral body fractures and subluxations | |
Digital fractures | |
Complex skull fractures | |
Common but low specificity | Subperiosteal new bone formation |
Clavicular fractures | |
Long bone shaft fractures | |
Linear skull fractures |
Rib fractures
Metaphyseal corner fractures
Dating fractures
Differential diagnosis
Hereditary collagen disorders | Osteogenesis imperfecta |
Menkes syndrome | |
Osteogenesis imperfecta with congenital joint | |
contractures (Bruck syndrome) | |
Copper deficiency | |
Genetic defects in bone mineralisation | Osteopetrosis |
All forms of hypophosphataemic rickets | |
Syndromatic hepatic ductular hypoplasia (Alagille syndrome) | |
Secondary mineralisation disorders | Neuromuscular disorders |
Nutritional rickets | |
Cerebral palsy | |
Malabsorption | |
Metabolic bone disorders of prematurity | |
Other at risk disorders | Muscular dystrophy |
Spina bifida |