CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

If the left obturator foramen appears narrower than the right on an AP pelvis image, what should the MRT do?

1. Rotate the patient to the left

2. Rotate the patient to the right

3. Accept the image

4. Internally rotate both feet

The correct answer is: Rotate the patient to the right

When evaluating an AP pelvis image, symmetry of the obturator foramina is crucial. If the left obturator foramen appears narrower than the right, this indicates a potential rotational misalignment of the pelvis. In this scenario, rotating the patient to the right can help correct this imbalance, making the foramina appear more symmetrical. The rationale behind this is that the pelvic inlet and foramina are typically symmetrical in a properly positioned AP projection. When one side appears narrower, it suggests that the pelvis is rotated towards the opposite side. Therefore, by rotating the patient to the right, the MRT can open up the left side and align it better with the right side. In clinical practice, ensuring the patient's true alignment is important not just for diagnostic purposes, but also for accurate assessment in subsequent imaging or treatment. The position of the feet can also affect the overall alignment, but in this particular case, directly correcting the rotation is the most effective step to address the issue at hand.