Sacral foramina: view at CT.

Abstract

Conventional transaxial computed tomography (CT) is superior to plain radiography in depicting the sacrum. Because of the shape and orientation of the sacrum, CT provides oblique views of the structures of interest. With easily reproducible landmarks and standard transaxial CT data, orthogonal image sets can be produced that provide a true en face orientation matching the obliquity of the sacrum. This allows optimal visualization of the paired foramina and of the sacroiliac joints for better assessment of trauma, tumor, or inflammatory disease.