B5.016 Basics of Abdominal X-Rays

Question 1

KUB x-ray

Answer 1

kidney, ureters, bladder

abdominal plain film

Question 2

upright view

Answer 2

shows lung fields

beads at bottom of circle

Question 3

supine view

Answer 3

smaller field

beads in center of circle

Question 4

normal gas pattern on a KUB

Answer 4

gas within the bowel provides a natural lucency that outlines the intestinal lumen
most commonly found in stomach and colon
most variable pattern in small bowel

Question 5

normal limits for bowel distention

Answer 5

small bowel - 3
colon - 6
cecum - 9

Question 6

abnormal bowel gas pattern

Answer 6

dilated loops
air-fluid levels
gas on two sides of a membrane

Question 7

pneumoperitoneum

Answer 7

gas on both sides of diaphragm or bowel wall
worried about bowel perforation
view best standing up or lateral decubitus if cant stand

Question 8

ileus

Answer 8

typically post surgical
lack of movement within the bowl
pseudo-obstruction

Question 9

no air fluid levels, but distention

Answer 9

ileus