A patient enters the emergency department (ED) having sustained trauma to the pelvis.The patient's main complaint is about her left hip.Which of the following projections should be taken first to rule out fracture or dislocation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The AP pelvis projection is the best first choice to rule out any pelvic fractures or dislocations as it provides a comprehensive view of the entire pelvis. In addition, it can also capture the left hip joint in its entirety, allowing for any abnormalities or injuries to be identified. Once any significant pelvic injury has been ruled out, further imaging such as the AP projection of the left hip or the axiolateral projection can be performed if necessary. The lateral frog-leg projection may not be the best initial choice as it only captures a specific view of the left hip joint and may not provide enough information about the rest of the pelvis.

A Patient Enters the Emergency Department (ED) Having Sustained Trauma