Abdomen Flashcards
Pneumoperitoneum
free air or gas in peritoneal cavity
Caused: perforation or trauma
Appearance: thin crescent-shaped radiolucency under diaphragm (on erect)
Technique? decrease factors
Ascites
abnormal accumulation of fluid in peritoneal cavity
Caused: Cirrhosis, Metastatic Disease and other chronic disorders
Appearance: distended abdomen, general haziness on xray
Adjust Technique? increase factors
dynamic or mechanical bowel obstruction
complete or almost complete blockage of the flow of intestinal contents
Caused: fibrous adhesions (bands of tissue), Crohn’s, intussusception, volvulus
Appearance: distended loops of air-filled small bowel
Technique? decrease factors
Crohn’s Disease
chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall that results in bowel obstruction in 50% of patients
found mostly at terminal ileum and proximal colon
Appearance: distended loops of air-filled small intestine (cobblestones)
Technique? Decrease factors
Volvulus
twisting of a loop of intestine creating an obstruction
common in sigmoid colon
surgery is needed for correction
Appearance: large amounts of air in sigmoid colon with tapered narrowing at the site of volvulus (beak sign)
Technique? decrease slightly
Nonmechanical bowel obstruction - Ileus
adynamic meaning without power or force
caused by lack of motility frequently in post-op patients (24-72 hrs)
Appearance: large amounts of air in entire dilated small and large intestines with air-fluid levels seen
Technique? decrease
ulcerative colitis
chronic disease involving inflammation of the colon that occurs primarily in young adults
common in rectosigmoid region
Appearance: deep air-filled mucosal protrusions of colon wall
Technique? decrease
What are three (technically 4) major muscles in the abdomen that are important in radiography?
left and right hemidiaphragm
right psoas muscle
left psoas muscle
