MODIFICATION OF THE EXAMINING TABLE TO IMPROVE SCANNING by Carol Rashbaum; Carole Sundgren; and Fred Chavez
Technical Note Scanning of patients in the supine position presents technical problems in obtaining good visualization of the left side of the abdomen when the technician is standing on the right. Good scanning maneuverability on this side is lacking due t o restricted motion when the transducer strikes the scanning arm or the table while attempting t o sector down low on the patient’s left side and then angling upward t o see the opposite side structures. This motion is limited by the examining table surface, which makes it virtually impossible t o sector the transducer enough t o satisfactorily visualize the left side. We have devised a scanning table t o eliminate this scanning restriction. The left side of the table (Fig. 1) has a “cutout” as shown a t the level of the abdominal region. This enables us to swing the transducer, comfortably reducing the radical angles which have been necessary in the past. It also permits more effective demonstration of small amounts of ascitic fluid when pres-
FIGURE 1: Shows the cutout section lowered on the far side while the support board is raised on the near side t o show how this was done. The potential of lowering either side provides greater versatil,ty,
ent. Originally, we tried cutting out the table on both sides, but this proved uncomfortable for the patient.
F r o m t h e Ultrasound Laboratory, D e p a r t m e n t of Radiology, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver. Colorado 8 0 2 2 0 . Received November 3, 1975; revision accepted March 19.
1976. F o r reprints c o n t a c t : Carol Rashbaum. Ultrasound Laborat o r y , D e p a r t m e n t of Radiology. University of Colorado Medical Center. No. C277. 4 2 0 0 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80220. VOLUME 4, NUMBER 3
221
Technical Note Scanning of patients in the supine position presents technical problems in obtaining good visualization of the left side of the abdomen when the technician is standing on the right. Good scanning maneuverability on this side is lacking due t o restricted motion when the transducer strikes the scanning arm or the table while attempting t o sector down low on the patient’s left side and then angling upward t o see the opposite side structures. This motion is limited by the examining table surface, which makes it virtually impossible t o sector the transducer enough t o satisfactorily visualize the left side. We have devised a scanning table t o eliminate this scanning restriction. The left side of the table (Fig. 1) has a “cutout” as shown a t the level of the abdominal region. This enables us to swing the transducer, comfortably reducing the radical angles which have been necessary in the past. It also permits more effective demonstration of small amounts of ascitic fluid when pres-
FIGURE 1: Shows the cutout section lowered on the far side while the support board is raised on the near side t o show how this was done. The potential of lowering either side provides greater versatil,ty,
ent. Originally, we tried cutting out the table on both sides, but this proved uncomfortable for the patient.
F r o m t h e Ultrasound Laboratory, D e p a r t m e n t of Radiology, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver. Colorado 8 0 2 2 0 . Received November 3, 1975; revision accepted March 19.
1976. F o r reprints c o n t a c t : Carol Rashbaum. Ultrasound Laborat o r y , D e p a r t m e n t of Radiology. University of Colorado Medical Center. No. C277. 4 2 0 0 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80220. VOLUME 4, NUMBER 3
221
