RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONS OF MASTOIDS

The mastoid process is a part of the temporal bone which is also comprised of tempanic,
petrous and squamous parts. Accordingly, examination of the mastoid can be possible using
the following projections:

Law view: The X-ray beam is directed at a 15 degree oblique plain cephalocaudally while the
skull's sagittal plane is parallel to the X-ray film.

Stenver's view: It is also called an Axio-anterior oblique posterior view. The X-ray beam is
directed at a 14 degree angle caudally and the head faces the film with slight flexion and
rotation at an angle of 45 degress to the opposite side.

Schuller's view: It resembles Law's view, except that the X-ray beam is directed at a 30
degree angle instead of 15. The angle of the X-ray beam leads to superimposition of the
views of the internal acoustic meatus and the external acoustic meatus which leads to
separation of the views of both mastoids. Such angulation also promotes visualization of the
upper portion of the attic and the antrum via displacing the arcuate eminence downwards.
Rugnstrom's view is helpful in detection of the extent of pneumatization of both mastoids,
localization of the sinus plate, tegment and the sigmoid sinus, and diagnosis of the presence
of cholesteatomas.