It is important to obtain right kind of xray to get to know further about a problem. Different parts of body require different angles at which xrays should be taken from. These are called views.It is essential to obtain correctly done views that show the areas of interest adequately.
Standard Views usually means an anteroposterior (AP), a lateral (at a 90 degree angle to the AP), and, in some body parts, one or more oblique films.
Generally, films of long bones should show at least the adjacent joint on either side. There are special views for just about any area and unconventional views can be improvised when required.
Before one orders an Xray, it is important to know which area one needs to be xrayed. This can only be done by examining the patient in detail beforehand. Abnormalities including fractures can be missed when the wrong areas are radiographed. Xrays cannot be ordered by approximation.
Because the body is bilaterally symmetrical, we can have an xray of other/contralateral normal part for comparison. Comparison views are most needed in some pediatric cases because of variable growth rates and variable appearance of growth plates.
Additional views may be needed when a fracture is not visualized. Any nondisplaced fracture can be difficult to see on routine radiograph performed the day of the injury. Sometimes indirect evidence of fracture is apparent on the initial set of films.
For example, uneven ankle mortise can be a sign of a severe sprain or occult fracture. Soft tissue swelling seen as frank swelling and/or obliteration of normal fascial planes is often associated with an underlying fracture.
Special additional views can also be done of such bones as the scaphoid or patella when indicated by point tenderness. Other modes such as computed tomography or Panorex can be used for some areas.
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