A patient enters the emergency department with a suspected fracture to the mid humeral shaft. What protocol should the technologist use to approach imaging the patient?
two projections: one with the arm in external rotation and one with the arm in internal rotation
single AP projection with the arm in external rotation
single AP projection and a single transthoracic projection
single AP projection in neutral position, a transthoracic lateral, and a distal lateromedial projection
single AP projection in neutral position, a transthoracic lateral, and a distal lateromedial projection
Rationale: Trauma imaging the humerus will require working around the part. The AP projection of the humerus is acquired with the arm left in neutral position, centered to the mid humeral shaft. The lateral projection will require two separate projections: a lateral projection for the proximal humerus and a second lateral for the distal humerus. The proximal humeral lateral will leave the humerus as it is, a grid is positioned lateral to the part, and the beam is directed through the thoracic cavity to the surgical neck. The distal lateral will use a lateromedial projection; the non-grid image receptor is placed between the humerus and the lateral side of the patient's body.
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