The "scotty dog" sign is primarily viewed in which lumbar view?

The "scotty dog" sign is a radiographic feature that occurs in the oblique view of the lumbar spine. In this specific view, the lumbar vertebrae are positioned at an angle that allows the anatomy of the vertebrae, particularly the pars interarticularis, to be visualized in a way that resembles a scotty dog with the dog's head, neck, and body represented by different components of the vertebrae.

When performing the lumbar oblique view, the technologist rotates the patient's body at a specific angle (typically 45 degrees), allowing for the assessment of the facet joints and the pars interarticularis. This is particularly useful in diagnosing conditions such as spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, where abnormalities of the scotty dog sign can indicate changes or fractures in the pars interarticularis.

The other views, such as lateral, anteroposterior, and flexion, do not provide the specific angles and perspectives needed to visualize the scotty dog sign effectively. Consequently, those views would not typically reveal the characteristic appearance associated with the scotty dog, making the oblique view the correct choice for identifying this sign.