Abdominal Radiography Flashcards
Diagnostic test of choice for intussusception
Ultrasound
Consider these two causes if the small intestine/large intestine/cecum are seen to be dilated
Obstruction
Adynamic ileus
How would intussusception show up on a KUB?
Crescent sign
Contrast injected into the stomach is seen in the esophagus on upper GI series. What condition might this patient have?
GERD (contrast refluxed into esophagus)
Diagnostic modality of choice for suspected internal abdominal injury in a hemodynamically stable patient
CT with IV contrast
Diagnosing pain or distension in kidneys, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, and abdominal aorta can be done quickly and comfortably with …
Abdominal ultrasound
What does the Target Sign indicate?
Fluid around an abdominal mass
Filling defects seen in the pulmonary blood vessels in a patient who is short of breath might suggest …
Pulmonary embolism
How long before an intravenous pyelogram should a patient stop eating and drinking?
4 hours NPO before procedure
Imaging series of choice for diagnosing hiatal hernias
Upper GI series
Name of folds normally seen in the small intestine
Valvulae conniventes
An upper GI that focuses on the esophagus is an esophogram. What’s another name for this?
Barium swallow
How might an abscess appear on a CT?
Irregular borders and similar density to spinal fluid (suggests fluid filled so likely benign)
How long before an upper GI series should a patient stop eating and drinking?
NPO for 8 hours before procedure
Do patients need to be NPO prior to a KUB x-ray?
No
If the cecum is larger than this then it’s considered to be dilated
> 9cm
Which, a scope or barium contrast study, can be used for therapeutics as well as visualization?
Scope
(barium contrast is therapeutics only)
Air seen more peripherally on a KUB implies what kind of obstruction
Large intestine obstruction
Crescent sign on an axial abdominal CT suggests this
Free air beneath diaphragm
(air raises anteriorly in supine patient)
First assumption with an apple core lesion
Cancer (blocking retrograde flow of barium up the colon)
Gold standard imaging for abdominal aortic aneurysm
CTA (abdominal CT with angiography)
Three contraindications for upper GI series
Complete bowel obstruction
Unstable vitals
Uncooperative patient
Method for better visualizing blockages in the colon on a KUB
Barium enema
Describe the method in an upper GI series
Drink barium contrast
Multiple position changes
Fluoroscopic and plain images monitor flow of contrast
Name of the folds normally seen in the large intestine
Haustra
If the large intestine is larger than this it’s considered to be dilated
> 6cm
What patient prep is required for renal, breast, scrotal, transvaginal, thyroid, and arterial ultrasound?
None
Signs of ulcerative colitis
No haustral folds in large intestine
How would a gastro/duodenal obstruction appear on an upper GI series?
Stomach enlarged and not able to drain contrast
FAST (Focused Assessment Sonograph Trauma) is used for …
Point of care ultrasound for hemothoraces or pneumothoraces
(assuming they’re hemodynamicaly unstable)
How long before a barium enema should a patient stop eating and drinking?
NPO for 8 hours before enema
How to look for inflammation and blockages in areas of the small intestine that a scope can’t reach?
Small bowel series
Outpouching seen in the duodenum suggests the presence of …
An ulcer
Consolidations seen around the lung bases that move with changes in patient position to gravity dependent areas might be …
Pleural effusions
On a KUB you see soft tissue like opacities with internal mottled air within the large bowel. What is your diagnosis?
Constipation
What might a high attenuating crescent sign on abdominal CT be associated with?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
(contrast highlights blood pooling in aortic wall)
What patient prep is required for bladder, complete pelvic, and OB pelvic ultrasound?
Drink 24-32oz water 1 hour prior (arrive with full bladder)
How to best position the patient to look for free air under the diaphragm in a KUB
Have the patient stand upright
Describe the meaning of ABDO X
Refers to findings on KUB
A - Air where it shouldn’t be
B - Bowel position, size, and wall thickness
D - dense structures, calcification, and bones
O - Organs and soft tissues
X- eXternal objects and artifacts
Patient prep required for complete abdominal ultrasound
NPO 8 hours prior
Patient prep required for abdominal aorta ultrasound
NPO 6-8 hours prior
