What is an Odontoid X-ray?

The open mouth view x-ray is also called Odontoid view or odontoid peg view. It is a very useful view in traumatic injuries of upper cervical spine and whiplash injury of the cervical spine.

How do you take an Odontoid X-ray?

Patient position

  1. patient positioned erect in AP position unless trauma the patient will be supine.
  2. patient’s shoulders should be at equal distances from the image receptor to avoid rotation, the head facing straight forward.
  3. at the last instant, the patient is instructed to open their mouth as wide as possible.

What is an Odontoid?

The odontoid process, or dens, is a superior projecting bony element from the second cervical vertebrae (C2, or the axis). The first cervical vertebrae (atlas) rotates around the odontoid process to provide the largest single component of lateral rotation of the cervical spine.

Is Odontoid fracture serious?

The odontoid process, also called the dens, is a protuberance of the axis. Life-threatening fractures can occur as a result of forces acting on this anatomical structure due to its proximity to the spinal cord and brainstem.

Where is Odontoid process found?

second cervical vertebra
The odontoid process (also dens or odontoid peg) is a protuberance (process or projection) of the Axis (second cervical vertebra). It exhibits a slight constriction or neck, where it joins the main body of the vertebra.

What is AP view xray?

AP, X-ray: An X-ray picture in which the beams pass from front-to-back (anteroposterior). As opposed to a PA (posteroanterior) film in which the rays pass through the body from back-to-front.

Why do you have to open your mouth for a neck xray?

The open mouth odontoid radiograph (x-ray) is used to assess for the presence of an upper cervical spine injury. Common injuries to the upper cervical spine include: Dens Fracture (i.e., C2 Odontoid Fracture) Jefferson’s Fracture (i.e., C1 Burst Fracture)

Can an Odontoid fracture heal on its own?

A stable fracture may “set” and heal itself. In an unstable fracture, the bone is more likely to move out of its normal position and alignment. Type II fractures are considered the least stable of the odontoid fractures. This makes them the most likely to require surgery.

Is Odontoid the same as dens?

The odontoid process (also dens or odontoid peg) is a protuberance (process or projection) of the Axis (second cervical vertebra). It exhibits a slight constriction or neck, where it joins the main body of the vertebra.

How do you fix an Odontoid fracture?

Treatment options for type II odontoid fractures can be nonsurgical or surgical. Nonsurgical measures include immobilization, prevent or restrict movement, in a cervical collar or halo vest. Surgery may be required if the fracture has resulted in neurologic symptoms and/or the spine has become unstable.

How do you fix a C2 fracture?

Treatment for type I C2 (axis) fractures is hard-collar immobilization for 6-8 weeks, which usually is quite successful. Type II fractures can be managed conservatively or surgically….Odontoid fractures

  1. Halo immobilization.
  2. Internal fixation (odontoid screw fixation)
  3. Posterior atlantoaxial arthrodesis.

What vertebra has an odontoid process?

Axis (C2) The second cervical vertebra, or axis, supports the dens, or odontoid process, which projects rostrally from the body, serving as a pivotal restraint against horizontal displacement of the atlas.

How an injury to the odontoid process can be fatal?

Injuries to the Odontoid Process . A number of injuries can affect the dens, including trauma that pushes the top of the skull down, which may in result in the dens being pushed into the brain stem. This will likely cause death .

What is Type 3 dens FX?

Dens Fracture Type III. Type III Odontoid Fracture: fracture through base of odontoid into body of axis. It has the best prognosis. This is an example of dens type III fracture. The first image is an odontoid view, which shows the fracture line extending beyond the base of the dens. The second image is a CT that confirms the fracture in the body of C2.

What are the different X – ray views?

Different views (also known as projections) of the chest can be obtained by changing the relative orientation of the body and the direction of the x-ray beam. The most common views are posteroanterior, anteroposterior, and lateral.

What are X – ray views?

A doctor views an X-ray of a patient’s chest. noun. The definition of an X-ray is a picture taken of the inside of something using high energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths that can pass through items. A picture that the doctor takes of your insides to see if you have any broken bones is an example of an X-ray.