Waters' view
Radiographic view
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Waters' view (also known as the occipitomental view or parietoacanthial projection) is a radiographic view of the skull. It is commonly used to get a better view of the maxillary sinuses. An x-ray beam is angled at 45° to the orbitomeatal line. The rays pass from behind the head and are perpendicular to the radiographic plate. Another variation of the waters places the orbitomeatal line at a 37° angle to the image receptor. It is named after the American radiologist Charles Alexander Waters.
| Waters' view | |
|---|---|
A Waters' view radiograph showing the paranasal sinuses | |
| Specialty | Radiology |
Uses
Structures observed
Waters' view can be used to best visualise a number of structures in the skull.
- Maxillary sinuses.
- Frontal sinuses, seen with an oblique view.
- Ethmoidal cells.
- Sphenoid sinus, seen through the open mouth.
- Odontoid process, where if it is just below the mentum, it confirms adequate extension of the head.
The Waters' view may not show the frontal sinus in detail.[1]
Interpretation of results
| Pathology | Observation |
|---|---|
| None (Normal) |
|
| Maxillary sinusitis[2] | 
|
| Polyp |
|
| Malignancy |
|
Procedure
Typically, the x-ray beam is angled at 45° to the orbitomeatal line.[3] Another variation of the waters places the orbitomeatal line at a 37° angle to the image receptor,[4] or 30°.[5]
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