CBP CBP Radiographic Analysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which radiographic projection is the standard view used in CBP to measure cervical lordosis?
- AP open mouth view
- Lateral cervical view in neutral position (Correct answer)
- Oblique cervical view
- Flexion-extension lateral view
Correct answer: Lateral cervical view in neutral position
CBP uses the neutral lateral cervical radiograph as the standard projection for measuring cervical lordosis with the posterior tangent or Cobb angle method.
Question 2: In CBP radiographic analysis, what does a positive Cobb angle measurement indicate when applied to the lumbar spine?
- The presence of scoliosis only
- The degree of sagittal curvature (lordosis or kyphosis) measured between the superior endplate of L1 and the inferior endplate of L5 (Correct answer)
- The degree of rotational malposition
- The extent of disc space narrowing
Correct answer: The degree of sagittal curvature (lordosis or kyphosis) measured between the superior endplate of L1 and the inferior endplate of L5
In the lumbar sagittal plane, the Cobb angle between L1 superior endplate and L5 inferior endplate quantifies the lumbar lordosis arc, a key CBP measurement.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a full-spine AP radiograph in CBP evaluation?
- To assess disc hydration levels
- To measure and document coronal plane (frontal) spinal alignment and detect lateral translations or scoliosis (Correct answer)
- To evaluate facet joint arthritis
- To identify spinal cord compression
Correct answer: To measure and document coronal plane (frontal) spinal alignment and detect lateral translations or scoliosis
The full-spine AP view allows CBP clinicians to assess global coronal balance, detect lateral translations, quantify any scoliotic curves, and evaluate pelvic levelness.
Question 4: In CBP, what is the 'posterior tangent method' used to measure?
- Disc herniation size on MRI
- Individual vertebral body angular position relative to a true vertical or horizontal reference on lateral radiographs (Correct answer)
- Paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area
- Ligamentous laxity under stress views
Correct answer: Individual vertebral body angular position relative to a true vertical or horizontal reference on lateral radiographs
The posterior tangent method draws a line along the posterior surface of each vertebral body, then measures its angle relative to a reference line to quantify segmental angulation.
Question 5: Which radiographic landmark is used to establish the horizontal reference line in a standing lateral lumbar radiograph during CBP analysis?
- The top of the iliac crest
- The S1 superior endplate or sacral base (Correct answer)
- The L3 inferior endplate
- The femoral head center
Correct answer: The S1 superior endplate or sacral base
The S1 superior endplate (sacral base) is the foundational horizontal reference for lumbar sagittal analysis in CBP, as it defines the platform upon which the lumbar spine sits.
Question 6: When measuring the atlas plane line (APL) on an AP radiograph in CBP, what is being assessed?
- The rotation of C1 around the dens
- The lateral tilt of the C1 vertebra relative to a true horizontal reference line (Correct answer)
- The distance from C1 to the skull base
- The position of the atlas transverse process relative to C2
Correct answer: The lateral tilt of the C1 vertebra relative to a true horizontal reference line
The atlas plane line measures the lateral inclination (tilt) of the C1 ring on the AP view, which is a key coronal plane measurement used in upper cervical CBP analysis.
CBP CBP Radiographic Analysis 1
Which radiographic projection is the standard view used in CBP to measure cervical lordosis?