Abdominal Radiography

Question 1

Diagnostic test of choice for intussusception

Answer 1

Ultrasound

Question 2

Consider these two causes if the small intestine/large intestine/cecum are seen to be dilated

Answer 2

Obstruction

Adynamic ileus

Question 3

How would intussusception show up on a KUB?

Answer 3

Crescent sign

Question 4

Contrast injected into the stomach is seen in the esophagus on upper GI series. What condition might this patient have?

Answer 4

GERD (contrast refluxed into esophagus)

Question 5

Diagnostic modality of choice for suspected internal abdominal injury in a hemodynamically stable patient

Answer 5

CT with IV contrast

Question 6

Diagnosing pain or distension in kidneys, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, and abdominal aorta can be done quickly and comfortably with …

Answer 6

Abdominal ultrasound

Question 7

What does the Target Sign indicate?

Answer 7

Fluid around an abdominal mass

Question 8

Filling defects seen in the pulmonary blood vessels in a patient who is short of breath might suggest …

Answer 8

Pulmonary embolism

Question 9

How long before an intravenous pyelogram should a patient stop eating and drinking?

Answer 9

4 hours NPO before procedure

Question 10

Imaging series of choice for diagnosing hiatal hernias

Answer 10

Upper GI series

Question 11

Name of folds normally seen in the small intestine

Answer 11

Valvulae conniventes

Question 12

An upper GI that focuses on the esophagus is an esophogram. What’s another name for this?

Answer 12

Barium swallow

Question 13

How might an abscess appear on a CT?

Answer 13

Irregular borders and similar density to spinal fluid (suggests fluid filled so likely benign)

Question 14

How long before an upper GI series should a patient stop eating and drinking?

Answer 14

NPO for 8 hours before procedure

Question 15

Do patients need to be NPO prior to a KUB x-ray?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

If the cecum is larger than this then it’s considered to be dilated

Answer 16

> 9cm

Question 17

Which, a scope or barium contrast study, can be used for therapeutics as well as visualization?

Answer 17

Scope

(barium contrast is therapeutics only)

Question 18

Air seen more peripherally on a KUB implies what kind of obstruction

Answer 18

Large intestine obstruction

Question 19

Crescent sign on an axial abdominal CT suggests this

Answer 19

Free air beneath diaphragm

(air raises anteriorly in supine patient)

Question 20

First assumption with an apple core lesion

Answer 20

Cancer (blocking retrograde flow of barium up the colon)

Question 21

Gold standard imaging for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Answer 21

CTA (abdominal CT with angiography)

Question 22

Three contraindications for upper GI series

Answer 22

Complete bowel obstruction

Unstable vitals

Uncooperative patient

Question 23

Method for better visualizing blockages in the colon on a KUB

Answer 23

Barium enema

Question 24

Describe the method in an upper GI series

Answer 24

Drink barium contrast

Multiple position changes

Fluoroscopic and plain images monitor flow of contrast

Question 25

Name of the folds normally seen in the large intestine

Answer 25

Haustra

Question 26

If the large intestine is larger than this it’s considered to be dilated

Answer 26

> 6cm

Question 27

What patient prep is required for renal, breast, scrotal, transvaginal, thyroid, and arterial ultrasound?

Answer 27

None

Question 28

Signs of ulcerative colitis

Answer 28

No haustral folds in large intestine

Question 29

How would a gastro/duodenal obstruction appear on an upper GI series?

Answer 29

Stomach enlarged and not able to drain contrast

Question 30

FAST (Focused Assessment Sonograph Trauma) is used for …

Answer 30

Point of care ultrasound for hemothoraces or pneumothoraces

(assuming they’re hemodynamicaly unstable)

Question 31

How long before a barium enema should a patient stop eating and drinking?

Answer 31

NPO for 8 hours before enema

Question 32

How to look for inflammation and blockages in areas of the small intestine that a scope can’t reach?

Answer 32

Small bowel series

Question 33

Outpouching seen in the duodenum suggests the presence of …

Answer 33

An ulcer

Question 34

Consolidations seen around the lung bases that move with changes in patient position to gravity dependent areas might be …

Answer 34

Pleural effusions

Question 35

On a KUB you see soft tissue like opacities with internal mottled air within the large bowel. What is your diagnosis?

Answer 35

Constipation

Question 36

What might a high attenuating crescent sign on abdominal CT be associated with?

Answer 36

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

(contrast highlights blood pooling in aortic wall)

Question 37

What patient prep is required for bladder, complete pelvic, and OB pelvic ultrasound?

Answer 37

Drink 24-32oz water 1 hour prior (arrive with full bladder)

Question 38

How to best position the patient to look for free air under the diaphragm in a KUB

Answer 38

Have the patient stand upright

Question 39

Describe the meaning of ABDO X

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Patient prep required for complete abdominal ultrasound

Answer 40

NPO 8 hours prior

Question 41

Patient prep required for abdominal aorta ultrasound

Answer 41

NPO 6-8 hours prior