Chest Radiography for a Wheelchair-bound Patient

This is a wheelchair-bound morbidly obese patient who was referred for chest radiography. The lateral projection was undertaken first. The patient was leaned forward and a triangular sponge was inserted. This movement ensured that the patient's anatomy was not superimposed over the metalwork of the wheelchair.

The radiographer decided to perform an AP chest technique where the patient in situ in the wheelchair. The triangular sponge was removed from behind the patient's back and the wheelchair was backed up to the upright bucky. The method was simple and effective. This technique benefits from a wheelchair material that is radiolucent. The handles of the wheelchair enforce a compulsory airgap technique.