GI tract (Yr 4) Flashcards
is the pancreas seen on normal radiographs?
no
what is the location of the pancreas?
medial to duodenum
between gastric body and transverse colon
medial to spleen and cranial to left kidney
what is the best mode of imaging for the pancreas?
ultrasound
what are the features of a mass effect caused by pancreatic enlargement?
laterally displaced duodenum
caudal displacement of transverse colon
what area is the oesophagus contained within?
mediastinum
what are the features of megaoesophagus on radiographs?
segmental/generalised dilation of oesophagus
ventral deviation of trachea
widened mediastinum
trachea-oesophageal stripe (highlighted tracheal/oesophageal walls due to gas within the oesophagus)
what secondary disease are cases with megaoesophagus prone to developing?
aspiration pneumonia
what are the predilection sites for oesophageal foreign bodies?
thoracic inlet
heart base
cranial to diaphragm/cardia
why are barium studies contraindicated with foreign bodies?
often perforated (don’t want barium in body cavity)
what is the best way to image oesophageal foreign bodies?
endoscopy or non-ionic iodine contrast
what is the usual position of the stomach on a radiograph?
in the costal arch
what are the compartments of the stomach?
cardia
fundus
body
pyloric antrum (pylorus)
what are the five layers of the stomach seen on ultrasound?
serosa (outside)
muscularis
submucosa
mucosa
lumen
what layers of the stomach appear hypoechoic?
muscularis and mucosa
what does hypoechoic mean?
appears dark on ultrasound
what does hyperechoic mean?
appears light on ultrasound
what are the two categories of gastric dilation?
gas
fluid/gas
what are the main causes of gas dilation of the stomach?
aerophagia
GD/GDV
what are the main causes of fluid/gas dilation of the stomach?
pyloric outflow obstruction
functional ileus
what causes bizarre gas patterns?
trapping of gas in foreign bodies such as toys, textiles or botanical parts
what is gastric dilation and volvulus?
gas dilation and rotation around the longitudinal axis
how does GDV appear on a radiograph?
marked gas dilation and dispalement
fundus displaced caudoventrally and right
pylorus displaced craniodorsally and left
compartmentalisation (soft tissue band)
what is the appearance of GDV on VD view?
fundus on the right (large air bubble)
pylorus on the left (small air bubble)
can wall thickness of intestines be assessed on plain radiographs?
no, fluid and soft tissue is indistinguishable so you will be imaging the true wall and the fluid in the lumen of the intestine
