Straight clavicle x-ray technique

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Huy Hoang - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

The collarbone, also known as the collarbone, is the only bone connecting the shoulder to the chest, the bone is almost S-shaped, the two ends of the collarbone are firmly fixed by ligaments and attachment muscles, so the position The collarbone is rarely moved, almost fixed in one position.
The two ends of the clavicle connect to the sternum and shoulder blades (should be omitted because of the same definition above). The lateral end of the clavicle is connected to the scapula through the sacroclavicular joint, the clavicle ligament, and the sacroiliac ligament. The medial end of the clavicle connects to the sternum via the sternoclavicular joint. In addition, the clavicle is also the attachment site for some shoulder muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the anterior deltoid, and the trapezius muscle.
Function of the clavicle: Increases strength of the upper extremities when the arm is active, protects the subclavian nerve blood vessels, is a place of attachment for some large muscles, participates in shoulder girdle movement... In some Nationally, the clavicle is also the standard of aesthetic evaluation.

The clavicle x-ray technique is used when the patient is suspected of having a clavicle injury. This is a common injury accounting for 2.6-5% of fractures.
The mechanism of clavicle injury includes being directly hit by a heavy object on the clavicle or indirect trauma from falling and hitting the shoulder or supporting the hand in the shoulder position.
After a clavicle fracture, the patient often has clinical symptoms such as: Painful swelling, inability to raise the arm, shoulder sag, when touched, the broken bone will feel raised under the skin, when pressed, it will Feeling sharp pain... From the above clinical manifestations, the specialist doctor will appoint you to perform a straight clavicle x-ray to confirm the diagnosis.

3.1 Preparation before X-ray Before taking x-ray, the doctor will invite the patient into the x-ray room and explain some problems to the patient
Instruct the patient to prepare to start the x-ray

3.2 Conduct straight clavicle x-ray technique. Instruct the patient to stand or sit in front of the film stand, with the patient facing the film stand, arms down along the body. Anterior thoracic and clavicle close to film Align the clavicle to the center of the film. Place the right and left marks. The x-ray ball is projected at right angles to the film. The central ray is localized to the most curvature of the clavicle. Instruct the patient to remain in the position. Film shadow distance 1m, focus x-ray beam. Check the buttons on the control cabinet, observe the patient through the glass, press the x-ray generator button. Invite the patient out of the waiting room. 3.3 Diagnosis and results return - Film standards: Get the entire clavicle and both joints, the clavicle on the right side needs to be photographed in the middle of the film, the film has contrast sharpness, the film is clean without scratches.
- Return the film, return the results to the patient: conclude whether the collarbone is fractured, the degree of displacement, the fragment...
Doctor Vu Huy Hoang has 10 years of experience working in the diagnostic field image, formerly a Doctor at the Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Thai Nguyen Central Hospital. Currently, the doctor is working at the Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Any questions that need to be answered by a specialist doctor as well as customers wishing to be examined and treated at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide or register online HERE.

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