abdominal imaging Flashcards

1
Q

describe some common causes of abdominal pain

A
appendicitis
bowel obstruction
urinary system disorder
diverticulitis
cholecystitis
pancreatitis
malignancy
gynaecological 
IBD
ischaemia
perforation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what might an x-ray be used for

A

bowel obstruction/ perforation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are USS useful for

A

free fluid, solid organs, aorta, gynaecological

bowel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are the advantages of CT

A

sensitivity
quick
planning of surgery and intervention

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are the risks of CT

A

radiation exposure

renal impairment due to the contrast is possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are the advantages of MRI

A

no radiation

good soft tissue delineation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are the disadvantages of MRI

A

takes longer to do
contraindications e.g. claustrophobia, pacemaker,
may be used as a second line test

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the symptoms of acute appendicitis

A

periumbilical pain, nausea, vomiting
localizes to the right iliac fossa
difficult to diagnose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

how can imaging be used to diagnose appendicitis

A

xray cant be used
CT and USS can be
use USS first
may be able to determine alternative pathologies
distended/ fluid filled appendix may be visible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

how can imaging be used in acute diverticulitis

A

diagnosis and complications e.g. abscess, obstruction, perforation, fistulae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is a colovesical fistula

A

a communication between the lumen of the colon and the bladder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

how is cholecystitis diagnosed

A

sign of inflammation, fever, pain, CRP
Imaging: gallstones, wall thickening, fluid

MR cholangiopancreatography if obstruction in the common bile duct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is Emphysematous cholecystitis

A

air in gall bladder
usually associated with diabetes
usually very serious

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what can cause a small bowel obstruction

A

adhesions, cancer, herniae and gallstones ileus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what are the stigmata of small bowel obstruction

A

vomiting, pain and distension

increased bowel sounds, tenderness, palpable loops

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what are the causes of large bowel obstruction

A

colorectal cancer
volvulus(twisted bowel)
diverticulitis

need to know site, cause, metastasis

17
Q

how can imaging be used in small bowel obstruction

A

detect site, causes, severity, and complications
basis of management
CT better than xray, more specific and better at seeing metastases

18
Q

what are the possible causes of perforation

A

perf ulcer
diverticular disease
cancer
ischaemia

19
Q

what features of perforation might be seen on imaging

A

free fluid and gas
defect in wall
inflammatory change
faeces in the peritoneum

20
Q

what are the causes of bowel ischamia

A

arterial occlusion
venous occlusion
non occlusive hypoperfusion

21
Q

what are the signs of bowel ischaemia

A
Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, distension
inconsistent
• Borderline amylase, raised WCC, acidotic
• DDx includes perf, pancreatitis,
obstruction, diverticulitis
22
Q

what other problems can be seen with imaging

A

ureteric stone

tubo-ovarian abscess

23
Q

what is the main role of USS

A

RUQ/RIF pain

24
Q

what is the role of CT

A

primary imaging technique for acute pain in general