18 Imaging of GI Tract Flashcards
Why might you request an abdominal x-ray for a patient?
Patient presents with:
- Acute abdominal pain
- Suspected bowel obstruction
- Exacerbations of IBD
- Renal colic (CT first line)
DONE AP
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/206/a_image_thumb.png?1575053251)
How should you use to assess an abdominal x ray? (ABDO X)
ABDO X
- Air
- Bowel
- Dense structures/bones
- Organs and soft tissues
- External
Which bowel should you not see gas in?
- Small bowel, has a fast transit time so will only see fluid
- Colon will have lots of gas as slower transit time
Why is an AXR a higher radiation dose than a CXR?
Has to go through more structures to produce an image
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/209/a_image_thumb.jpeg?1575053436)
How do the large and small bowel differ on x-ray?
- Small: central position and have lines that cross the entire wall (valvulae conniventes)
- Large: peripheral and have incomplete lines (haustra). faeces is visible as slow transit time
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/210/a_image_thumb.png?1575053530)
What diameter indicates bowel obstruction on x-ray? (3,6,9 rule)
- Small: >3cm
- Large: >6cm
- Caecum: >9cm
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/211/a_image_thumb.png?1575053596)
What is the presentation and common causes of small bowel obstruction? (may be extramural,
ASHVITA
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/213/a_image_thumb.jpeg?1575053751)
- Adhesions (most common)
- Stenosis
- Hernia
- Volvulus
- Inturssusception
- Atresia
What is the presentation and common causes of large bowel obstruction?
- Colorectal carcinoma (60%)
- Diverticular stricture (20%)
- Volvulus (5%)
- Hernia
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/214/a_image_thumb.jpeg?1575053853)
What is this abdominal x-ray showing?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/216/q_image_thumb.png?1575053881)
- Sigmoid volvulus coffee bean sign
- Starts in LIF and goes to RUQ
- Can be ischaemic or perforate
What is this abdominal x-ray showing? How might it be caused?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/217/q_image_thumb.png?1575053965)
- Toxic megacolon
- Colonic dilation, oedema (thumbprinting thick haustra due to inflammation) and pseudopolyps
- Common in UC and C.Diff
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/217/a_image_thumb.png?1575054063)
What is being shown on this abdominal x-ray?
- Lead pipe colon
- Loss of haustra
- Common in UC due to chronic inflammation
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/219/a_image_thumb.png?1575054138)
Label the viscera on the abdominal x-ray.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/220/q_image_thumb.jpeg?1575054491)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/220/a_image_thumb.jpeg?1575054421)
X-rays can identify calcification, what are some examples of calcification you may see on an abdominal x-ray?
- Renal calculi
- Vascular calcification
- Pancreatic calcification following chronic inflammation
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/221/a_image_thumb.png?1575054597)
What is this abdominal x-ray showing?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/222/q_image_thumb.jpeg?1575054669)
Cannot see psoas so AAA
(abdominal aortic aneurysm)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/222/a_image_thumb.png?1575054663)
What is the abnormality on this x-ray?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/295/958/224/q_image_thumb.png?1575054715)
Foreign body (cholecystectomy clip)