Radiology, Vol 178, 59-61, Copyright © 1991 by Radiological Society of North America
Pharynx: value of oblique projections for radiographic examination
AJ Taylor, WJ Dodds and ET Stewart
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
The utility of oblique views for augmenting standard posteroanterior and
lateral double-contrast radiography of the pharynx was examined. Over an
8-month period, two oblique views were added to the standard
posteroanterior and lateral views of the pharynx during routine upper
gastrointestinal studies in 102 patients divided into two groups. Group 1
consisted of 81 patients without suspected pharyngeal or esophageal disease
who demonstrated what was considered to be normal anatomy on all
radiographic views. Group 2 consisted of 21 patients who were known or
suspected to have pathologic abnormality of the pharynx. The members of
this latter group each demonstrated various abnormal pharyngeal anatomy on
the standard views. In just over half of these cases the oblique projection
contributed significant information not obtained with conventional views.
Therefore, the authors conclude that oblique images are a beneficial
addition to the diagnostic evaluation of patients highly suspected of
having pharyngeal disease.
