What should be avoided during a lateral cervical X-ray procedure regarding tube tilt?

In a lateral cervical X-ray procedure, the primary goal is to obtain a clear, unobstructed image of the cervical spine in a true lateral position. Avoiding tube tilt is crucial because angling the X-ray tube can result in distortion of the anatomical structures and may lead to misinterpretation of the images. In this context, the ideal setup involves aligning the X-ray beam perpendicular to the film receptor or digital detector, ensuring that the image accurately represents the cervical spine without foreshortening or elongation of the vertebrae.

While the techniques involving cephalad or caudal angles can be appropriate in other situations to optimize visibility of specific anatomical details, they are not suitable for lateral cervical views, where any tilt could compromise image quality. Therefore, maintaining no tube tilt guarantees that the anatomy is represented as true-to-life as possible, minimizing the risk of diagnostic error.