A method of locating the plane of CT scans of the abdomen

Localization of the level of computed tomography (CT) sections and identification of the anatomical structures are prerequisites in the diagnostic process, A two-step method is described by which it is possible to determine quickly the plane of the CT scan of the abdomen using the spine as the reference landmark. The first step is to locate the level at which the vertebra under consideration is sectioned. The second, which consists of identifying the particular vertebra, is made by studying the topographical features of certain groups of paraspinal muscles, comprising mainly the diaphragmatic crura, psoas muscles, quadratus, lumborum, and the sacrospinalis.