The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body, and is one of the most susceptible to trauma. Various disease of the shoulder are frequently seen clinically. Plain radiography of the shoulder is the most common examination and includes AP, lateral, axial views, etc. Because of inconsistent positioning of the shoulder in axial view, image quality is a frequent complaint of the referring physician. By using a purpose-made assistive device while maintaining patient comfortable and stable position, the consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility of the image can be improved. This study compares 122 patients, 61 imaged in the traditional method, and 61 imaged with the assistive device and compares the degree of overlap with the glenohumeral joint. glenohumeral joint overlap decreased to 47.5% from 98.4% (p<0.001) and the degree of overlap of less than 5 mm increased from 21.3% to 83.6% (p<0.001), consistency radiographic of viewpoint increased from 55.7% to 100% (p<0.001), Detection rate of the shoulder lesion increased from 54.1% to 73.8% (p<0.001). From this result, we can conclude with the aid of the triangular sponge assistive device, the delineation of the anatomic structures can be improved and thus improving overall image quality.
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body, and is one of the most susceptible to trauma. Various disease of the shoulder are frequently seen clinically. Plain radiography of the shoulder is the most common examination and includes AP, lateral, axial views, etc. Because of inconsistent positioning of the shoulder in axial view, image quality is a frequent complaint of the referring physician. By using a purpose-made assistive device while maintaining patient comfortable and stable position, the consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility of the image can be improved. This study compares 122 patients, 61 imaged in the traditional method, and 61 imaged with the assistive device and compares the degree of overlap with the glenohumeral joint. glenohumeral joint overlap decreased to 47.5% from 98.4% (p<0.001) and the degree of overlap of less than 5 mm increased from 21.3% to 83.6% (p<0.001), consistency radiographic of viewpoint increased from 55.7% to 100% (p<0.001), Detection rate of the shoulder lesion increased from 54.1% to 73.8% (p<0.001). From this result, we can conclude with the aid of the triangular sponge assistive device, the delineation of the anatomic structures can be improved and thus improving overall image quality.