American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Practice Exam

The frontal and ethmoidal sinuses are optimally visualized using the PA axial Caldwell method. This radiographic technique is specifically designed to project the frontal sinuses into the shadow of the orbits, while also providing a clear view of the ethmoidal sinuses located between the orbits. The patient's forehead and nose are placed in contact with the image receptor, and the central ray is directed at a caudal angle (usually around 15-20 degrees) entering at the nasion. This angling not only reduces the superimposition of surrounding structures but also enhances the detail of the sinuses in the radiographic image.

In contrast, while other methods may visualize the sinuses to some extent, they are not as effective as the Caldwell view for focusing specifically on the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses. For example, the lateral view would primarily show the lateral aspects of the skull and is better for visualizing the sphenoidal sinus rather than the frontal or ethmoidal. The open mouth waters view primarily emphasizes the maxillary sinuses and requires the mouth to be open, which can obscure visualization of the frontal and ethmoidal areas. The submentovertical view, while useful for visualizing the sphenoid sinus and