Knee (Beclere method intercondylar view)

The Béclere method intercondylar view is an additional projection of the knee, used to better examine the tibial plateau and femoral intercondylar spaces.¹ It is anecdotally known as a 'notch view'.

Indication

The commonest indications for this additional knee view is for the assessment of a loose body (locked knee) and better delineation of the intercondylar eminence.

Patient position

• the patient is supine on the table with the knee flexed 40 degrees¹
• the image receptor is placed under the flexed knee slightly more superior than that of the AP projection 

Technical factors

• axial projection
• centring point
  • central ray is angled to align perpendicular to the tibia central to 1.5 cm distal of the apex of the patella
• collimation
  • superior to include the distal femur
  • inferior to include the proximal tibia/fibula
  • lateral to include the skin margin 
  • medial to include medial skin margin
• orientation
  • portrait
• detector size
  • 24 cm x 30 cm
• exposure
  • 60-70 kVp
  • 7-10 mAs
• SID
  • 100 cm
• grid
  • no

Image technical evaluation

• tibial plateau should be free from any superimposition
• femoral condyles should be free from superimposition with the intercondylar fossa in profile, giving the appearance of a 'notch'

Practical points

• ensure before carrying out x-ray the image receptor is superior enough to contain the image