In this series of patients the anteroposterior projection provided no useful information. Although cervical ribs are only occasionally symptomatic, they are not reliably seen in a lateral film. An anteroposterior film that includes the lung apices may very occasionally show a Pancoast tumour in patients with symptoms in the arms.For patients with neck symptoms alone routine cervical spine radiography could justifiably comprise a lateral projection alone in the first instance. For those with symptoms in the arms or with other reasons for referral further projections are desirable as a routine.

No abstract