A radiographic base line for demonstrating sinuses and facial bones in pediatric radiography.

Abstract

For many years the radiographic and Reid's base lines have been used as the main anatomical landmarks for positioning various projections of the skull, sinuses, and facial bones. Both base lines maintain a constant relationship to the cranial vault which does not vary from infancy to adulthood. This is not true, however, in the relation of these base lines to the facial bones of the infant and child. We know that the ratio of the facial bones to the cranium changes as the infant grows. Therefore, the angle between the radiographic or Reid's base lines and each structure of the facial bones varies, making the base lines inaccurate with reference to projections of the facial bones and sinuses in pediatric radiology. An anatomic line which maintains a fixed relation to the facial bones throughout the period of growth was found in the acantho-meatal line, hereafter referred to as the “pediatric base line” (P.B.L.). The P.B.L. extends from the external auditory meatus to the anterior nasal spine. The movement ...