Intercondylar view

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The Béclere method intercondylar view is an additional projection of the knee, used to better examine the tibial plateau and femoral intercondylar spaces. It is anecdotally known as a 'notch view'.

Indication

The commonest indications for this additional knee view is for the assessment of a loose body (locked knee) and better delineation of the intercondylar eminence.

Patient position

  • the patient is supine on the table with the knee flexed 40 degrees 
  • the image receptor is placed under the flexed knee slightly more superior than that of the AP projection 

Technical factors

  • axial projection
  • centering point
    • central ray is angled to align perpendicular to the tibia central to 1.5 cm distal of the apex of the patella
  • collimation
    • superior to include the distal femur
    • inferior to include the proximal tibia/fibula
    • lateral to include the skin margin 
    • medial to include medial skin margin
  • orientation  
    • portrait
  • detector size
    • 24 cm x 30 cm
  • exposure
    • 60-70 kVp
    • 7-10 mAs
  • SID
    • 100 cm
  • grid
    • no

Image technical evaluation

  • tibial plateau should be free from any superimposition
  • femoral condyles should be free from superimposition with the intercondylar fossa in profile, giving the appearance of a 'notch'

Practical points

  • ensure before carrying out x-ray the image receptor is superior enough to contain the image