Acromioclavicular joint series

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint radiographic series is used to evaluate the acromioclavicular joint and the distal clavicle.

Indications

AC radiographs are performed for a variety of indications including:

• shoulder trauma
• direct blows to the shoulder region
• following a fall onto an adducted arm
• suspected dislocation
• suspected arthritis

Projections

Standard projections

• AP view
  • erect view demonstrating the AC joint in the anteroposterior plane
  • best view to inspect widening of the AC joint

Additional projections

• AP with weight bearing
  • also known as a stress view, the patient holds onto a weight on the affected side, placing inferior pressure on the AC joint
  • this view is used to rule out displacement when it is suspected yet not confirmed on the AP view
• AP comparison views
  • both AC joints are imaged separately, to rule out a suspected displacement or differentially anatomical variation
• Zanca view
  • AP projection with a 10-15 degree cephalad angle to free the AC joint from superimposition 

Related Radiopaedia articles

Imaging the shoulder

• imaging the shoulder
  • plain film
    • scapula x-ray series
    • shoulder x-ray series
    • acromioclavicular joint x-ray series
    • clavicle x-ray series
    • sternoclavicular joint x-ray series
  • ultrasound shoulder
  • CT shoulder
  • MRI shoulder

Radiographic views

• imaging in practice
• paediatric radiography
• general radiography (adult)
  • radiographic positioning and terminology
  • systematic radiographic technical evaluation
• shunt series
• chest radiography
  • PA view
  • lateral view
  • AP erect view
  • supine view
  • lordotic view
  • lateral decubitus view
  • expiratory chest radiograph
  • sternum lateral view
  • sternum oblique view
  • ribs AP view
  • ribs PA view
  • ribs oblique view
• abdominal radiography
  • acute abdominal series
  • AP supine view
  • PA erect view
  • abdomen (KUB view)
  • lateral decubitus view
  • dorsal decubitus view
  • PA prone view
  • lateral view
  • oblique views
• upper limb radiography
  • shoulder girdle radiography
    • scapula series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • coracoid view
    • shoulder series
      • AP view
      • internal rotation view
      • external rotation view
      • superoinferior axial view
      • inferosuperior axial view
      • modified trauma axial
      • supine lateral
      • modified supine lateral
      • Y lateral view
      • AP glenoid view (Grashey view)
      • apical oblique view (Garth view)
      • humerus (neck) AP view
      • humerus axial (bicipital groove) view (Fisk view)
      • outlet view (Neer view)
      • Stryker notch view
    • acromioclavicular joint series
      • AP view
      • arm abducted view
      • AP weight bearing view
      • Zanca view
    • clavicle series
      • AP view
      • axial view
      • oblique view
    • sternoclavicular joint series
      • PA view
      • oblique view
      • serendipity view
  • arm and forearm radiography
    • humerus series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
    • elbow series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • supracondylar AP view
      • acute flexion AP
      • Coyle's view
      • external oblique view
      • medial oblique view
    • forearm series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • PA view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
  • wrist and hand radiography
    • wrist series
      • PA view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • oblique view
      • carpal tunnel view
      • trapezium view
      • pisiform view
      • PA radial deviation view
      • carpal bridge view
    • scaphoid series
      • PA view
      • PA axial view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • clenched fist view
    • hand series
      • PA view
      • DP oblique view
      • lateral view
      • ball-catcher view (Norgaard view)
    • thumb series
      • AP/PA view
      • lateral view
      • oblique view
    • fingers series
      • PA view
      • lateral view
      • oblique view
    • rheumatology hands series
      • both hands PA view
      • ball-catcher view (Norgaard view)
    • bone age series
• lower limb radiography
  • pelvic girdle radiography
    • pelvis series
      • AP view
      • outlet view
      • inlet view
      • oblique acetabular view (Judet view)
      • flamingo view
    • hip series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • Clements-Nakayama view
      • frog leg view
      • Dunn view
      • Von Rosen view
    • sacroiliac joint series
      • AP view
      • PA view
      • PA oblique view
      • AP oblique view
  • thigh and leg radiography
    • femur series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
    • knee series
      • AP view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • AP weight-bearing view
      • intercondylar view
      • Rosenberg view
      • skyline Laurine view
      • skyline Merchant view
    • tibia/fibula series
      • AP view
      • lateral view
  • ankle and foot radiography
    • ankle series
      • AP view
      • AP mortise view
      • lateral view
      • horizontal beam lateral view
      • AP stress views
    • foot series
      • DP view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • weightbearing DP view
      • weightbearing lateral view
    • calcaneus series
      • axial view
      • lateral view
    • toes series
      • AP view
      • oblique view
      • lateral view
      • sesamoid view
• skull radiography
  • PA view
  • AP view
  • lateral view
  • AP axial view (Towne view)
  • PA axial view (Caldwell view)
  • occipitomental view (Waters view)
  • acanthioparietal view (reverse waters view)
  • occipitomental 30º view (Titterington view)
  • submentovertex (SMV) view
• paranasal sinuses and facial bones radiography
  • facial bones
    • lateral view
    • Waters view
  • Caldwell view (angled skull PA view)
  • nasal bones
    • lateral view
    • Waters view
    • axial view
  • zygomatic arches
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
    • oblique view
    • Waters view
    • AP axial view
  • orbits
    • parieto-orbital view
    • Waters view
  • paranasal sinuses
    • lateral view
    • PA angled view (Caldwell view)
    • parietocanthal view (Waters view)
    • transoral parietocanthal view (open mouth Waters view)
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
  • temporal bones
    • axiolateral oblique view
    • AP axial view
    • Stenvers view
    • modified Stenvers view
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
• dental radiography
  • orthopantomography (OPG)
  • mandible
    • axiolateral view
    • AP/PA view
    • AP axial view
    • submentovertex (SMV) view
  • temporomandibular joints
    • AP axial view
    • axiolateral view
    • axiolateral oblique view
• spine radiography
  • cervical spine radiography
    • AP view
    • lateral view
    • AP oblique view
    • PA oblique view
    • cervicothoracic view (swimmer's view)
    • AP open mouth odontoid view
    • AP closed mouth odontoid view (Fuchs view)
    • lateral flexion and extension views
  • thoracic spine radiography
    • AP view
    • lateral view
    • oblique view
  • lumbar spine series
    • AP view
    • lateral view
    • oblique view
    • lateral flexion and extension views
  • sacrococcygeal radiography
    • sacrum AP view
    • coccyx AP view
    • lateral view
  • scoliosis radiography
    • PA/AP view
    • erect lateral view
    • lateral bending view