GI Diagnostic Studies Flashcards
black on an abdominal x ray depicts what?
air (gas)
white on an abdominal x ray depicts what?
calcification (bone)
grey on an abdominal x ray depicts what?
soft tissue (liver)
darker gret on an abdominal x ray depicts what?
fat
intestine white on an abdominal x ray depicts what?
metallic objects
how is an obstruction depicted on an abdominal x ray?
dilated bowel proximal to obstruction with collapsed bowel distally
will also see air. fluid level
what is a paralytic ileus?
a non mechanical bowel obstruction
how is a paralytic ileus depicted on an abdominal x ray?
a dilated bowel with gas in both small and large intestine
how is a perforation depicted on an abdominal x ray?
there will be free air outside of the bowel
how is an Intussusception
depicted on an abdominal x ray?
you will see signs of obstruction
what is an Intussusception?
a condition in which one segment of intestine “telescopes” inside of another, causing an intestinal obstruction. this creates swelling and decreases blood flow which may lead to tissue damage
valvulae conniventes are present in the
small bowel
haustrations are present in the
large bowel
Sickle-shaped free air on both sides under the diaphragm depicts what?
free air, a perforation
is intussusception an emergency or can treatment me scheduled for later? and what is the treatment?
emergency treatment required
treatment is barium enema or surgery
what is a contraindication for abdominal x rays?
pregnancy, this is a relative contraindication (use risk benefit ratio)
during a UGI series a patient will drink what? when a fluoroscopy is used to visualize what 3 structures?
the patient drinks barium sulfate contrast and the fluoroscopy is used to visualize esophagus stomach and first part of the duodenum
which test is also referred to as the barium swallow and images the throat and esophagus only?
esophagram
which 5 things is a UGI indicated for
dysphagia/dyspepsia GERD symptoms Early satiety Suspected PUD Suspected obstruction/ inflammation
list 7 findings of a UGI series
Hiatal hernia Cancer Ulcers Diverticula Benign tumors Extrinsic compression Perforation
If you believe there is a perforation which caution should you use for during a UGI series
use a water-soluble Gastrografin instead of barium sulfate contrast
what is a filling defect?
a displacement of contrast medium by space occupying lesion (such as a tumor) in a radiographic study of a contrast filled hollow viscus
what is a fluoroscopy?
an “x ray movie”
what are the contraindication for a UGI series?
Pregnancy (relative)
complete bowel obstruction
unstable vitals
what is found on barium enema that can not be found on UGI series
IBD, looking for narrowing of barium column due to inflammation
