Shoulder series (summary)

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This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists

A shoulder series (or shoulder x-ray) is most frequently performed following trauma looking for evidence of fracture or dislocation.

Reference article

This is a summary article. For more information, you can read a more in-depth reference article: shoulder series.

Summary

  • indications
    • suspicion of bony injury
    • concern for dislocation
    • shoulder pain or restriction of movement
  • procedure
    • AP view of the shoulder
      • front-on view of the shoulder girdle including the entire clavicle and scapula
    • there are several potential seconds views
      • Y-view: useful when looking for shoulder dislocation
        • angled along the scapula blade
      • axial: used in general trauma
        • looking up through the shoulder
      • Garth's view: often utilized when the should is unable to be abducted 
  • similar tests
  • important pathology
Medical student radiology curriculum