Search for a command to run...
Radiography of infants, particularly in the neonatal period, frequently presents a challenge to both the radiologist and the technical staff, often taxing their ingenuity as well as their patience. Consistently satisfactory films from the standpoints of freedom from motion and precise posturing are not always easily obtained. In addition, the services of at least one assistant have been necessary in order that the infant may be properly held. Exact duplication of position, when needed for comparative purposes, has often been difficult to attain without excessive exposure, and significant quantities of total-body radiation have sometimes been received unnecessarily by the patient. Furthermore, the need for a device to facilitate erect chest examination became evident in the interpretation of the mediastinal shadow in infants. Mediastinal shadows which appeared wide in the supine posture frequently were found to be normal when an erect examination was performed. Many contrivances have been developed for positioning and immobilizing infants during radiographic examination, and several are commercially available. For children weighing less than 15 pounds immobilization necessitates support of the head and proper weight distribution of the torso, without compromising the circulation of the extremities. Utilizing the device herein described, we have obtained excellent, easily reproducible films of the chest, abdomen, and hips. We believe it has merit for the following reasons: 1. The apparatus is safe, economical, and easily constructed. 2. No plywood or masonite is used, obviating artifacts from this source. 3. It is adaptable to standard equipment, and erect teleroentgenograms can be made without undue strain from the suspension. 4. A lead shield is incorporated for protection of the gonads and reduction in total-body irradiation. 5. Re-examination is rarely necessary, thus eliminating one source of excessive exposure. 6. Parents, nurses, and technicians receive no exposure since the device need not be held. 7. It is valuable for immobilizing infants during radiation therapy. The apparatus is comprised of four essential parts: a rigid supporting frame; a muslin or canvas cover for this frame; supporting loops and belts; a sheet of lead or lead rubber. A used 14 × 17-inch film hanger serves as a frame over which a closely fitting envelope of sturdy cloth is drawn. To this cloth, four loops of similar material, approximately 2 inches in width, are sewed for support of the extremities in such a manner that the infant assumes the frog position. A larger loop is placed transversely across the frame at the level of the crotch for support during lateral chest examination. A broad band of cloth fashioned as a pocket is then placed transversely across the frame at the level of the abdomen and affixed to one side of the frame permanently by stitches, and to the other side by an adjustable metallic or plastic buckle.