Skull (lateral view)

The skull lateral view is a non-angled lateral radiograph of the skull. This view provides an overview of the entire skull rather than attempting to highlight any one region.

Indications

This projection is used to evaluate for skull fractures, in addition to neoplastic changes and Paget disease. In the trauma setting, a horizontal beam lateral projection may demonstrate air-fluid levels in the sphenoid sinus , an indication of basal skull fracture.

Patient position

• the sagittal midline of the patient's head is parallel to the image detector
• sella turcica in profile
• temporomandibular joints are superimposed

Technical factors

• lateral projection
• centering point
  • the beam travels laterally, with 0° of angulation, through a point ~4 cm above the external auditory meatus
• collimation
  • superiorly to include skin margins
  • inferiorly to include base of skull
  • anteriorly to include frontal bone
  • posteriorly to the skin margins 
• orientation  
  • landscape
• detector size
  • 24 cm x 30 cm
• exposure
  • 60-70 kVp
  • 10-20 mAs
• SID
  • 100 cm
• grid
  • no

Image technical evaluation

• the sagittal midline of the patient's head is parallel to the image detector
• sella turcica in profile
• temporomandibular joints are superimposed

Practical points

• remove earrings, glasses, hairclips, hearing aids and dentures to avoid artifact obscuring important pathology