Introduction: In showing the anatomical structures of the lumbar spine, the simplest and most accessible diagnostic method is X-ray imaging. Its purpose is to show the disease processes and spinal injuries. The standard radiographic examination for evaluating the lumbar spine includes anteroposterior and lateral projection. Due to diagnostic needs, spine imaging can also be performed at different angles. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to show the anatomical structures of the lumbar spine in X-ray imaging by changing the position of the spine and in various projections at an angle from 0 ° to 30 ° in the anterior and posterior directions and in doing so, evaluate the presented anatomical structures according to the criteria for the quality of the radiograph. Methods: The measurements were performed in two parts. The first part consisted of a descriptive method, which included a review of domestic and foreign professional literature obtained online and in the library of Velenje and the library of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana. The second method was research work, where we used a phantom to compare the representations of the anatomical structures of the lumbar spine at different angles. Polystyrene was used for the lining, where 1 cm represented exactly 5 ° of the angle. Results: Through research on the phantom we found out, that the anatomical structures of the lumbar spine at different angles of rotation change, they increase. At larger angles, overlaps and more difficult separation of structures also occur. In overall, we found out that in the posterior lining of the phantom, the body of the third lumbar vertebra increased by an average of 0.7 cm, and the width of the transverse process decreased by an average of 1.11 cm. While in the anterior lining of the phantom, the body of the third lumbar vertebra increases by an average of 0.34 cm and the transverse process becomes more difficult to distinguish from other structures due to the overlap of the structures. All this occurs because of the remoteness and inadequate alignment of the object and the image receiver. Discussion and conclusion: As the angle increases, the anatomical structures begin to project one onto another and make it impossible to distinguish between individual anatomical structures. In lumbar spine radiographs, accuracy in setting patients is important, as this results in uniform anatomical structures and diagnostically useful radiographs. In practice, anteroposterior and lateral projection of the lumbar spine are used as standard. All other projections are useless as they increase the dose load of the patient, they are used only when the need for a correct diagnosis is stated.
|
