X-RAY CERVICAL SPINE FLEXION AND EXTENSION

The seven vertebrae of the cervical spine are visible in the cervical spine flexion and extension views when the patient is lying on his or her side.

On trauma patients, such functional views should not be carried out without the explicit guidance of an experienced clinician.

Indication

•        These views are specialized projections often requested to assess spinal stability.

Patient preparation

• Remove the object that contains Metal, such as Jewellery, Hair Clips, Watches, Rings, or any other similar object from scanning part of the body, to avoid a bright or blank spot on the diagnostic film.
• Notify your X-Ray technician in the case of a pregnancy.
• Anything in the hair should be taken out, including ear clips, hair grips, and dentures.

Part positioning

• The patient is upright and leaning against the detector.
• The detector is placed portrait, parallel to the long axis of the cervical spine on the patient's left side.
• The patient will have the neck in the extended  or flexion position depending on the projection.