X-RAY OF HAND
X-ray Hand A/P View
Region: phalanges, metacarpal bone, carpal bone
Pathology: fracture, dislocation and osteoarthritis of hand
SID: 100 cm (40 inches)
Central Ray: perpendicular beam directed at the third metacarpophalangeal joint
Respiration: unrelated
Position:
1. The patient is placed in a sitting position.
2. With hand pronated, place the hand on image receptor (IR).
3. Spread the phalanges apart
to avoid overlapping of each finger.
4. Place the third metacarpophalangeal joint
at the center of IR.
5. Align the major axis of hand and forearm on the vertical axis of IR.
Collimation: Include all structures from distal phalanx of the hand to distal portions of radius and ulna
Evaluation:
1. The entire structures of the hand including phalanges must
be observable in the image.
2. All phalanges except the thumb should not be rotated.
3. The entire structures of the hand including soft tissue should be clearly
demonstrated at proper density.
4. The open space between interphalangeal joints should be observable.
5. Approximately 2.5 cm of distal forearm should be included.
kVp-50, mAs-2.5
Tip
X-ray Hand Oblique View
Region: phalanges, metacarpal bone, carpal bone
Pathology: fracture, osteoarthritis and foreign body of hand
SID: 100 cm (40 inches)
Central Ray: perpendicular beam directed at the second metacarpophalangeal joint
Respiration: unrelated
Position
1. The patient is placed in a sitting position.
2. Place the hand on image receptor (IR) in true lateral position with thumb side up.
3. Place second to fifth fingers vertically on the IR and stack on another.
4. Pose thumb to produce true antero-posterior projection image.
5. Place the second metacarpophalangeal joint perpendicular to the IR.
Collimation: Include all structures from distal phalanx of the hand to distal portions of radius and ulna.
Evaluation
1. The entire structures of the hand including phalanges must be included in the image.
2. The entire hand structure except the thumb should be in lateral position.
3. The second to fifth fingers, metacarpal bones, carpal bones, distal radius and ulna should be stacked on one another.
4. Soft tissue should be clearly demonstrated and shadow of trabecular must be observable.
kVp-48, mAs-3.2
Tip
