Lecture 4 (x-ray-abdominal) -Exam 2 Flashcards
What are the different contrast agents for ab?
* When do you use them?
- Barium sulfate (not water soluble) – if no chance of bowel perforation
- Gastrografin, Isovue, Omnipaque (water soluble) – if any
chance patient has perforated bowel
Contrast studies of the GI Tract:
* _ swallow
* Upper GI can be what?
* Barium enema can be what?
* Observations of filling defects must be seenon what?
- Barium swallow
- Upper GI (single or double contrast)
- Barium Enema (BE), (single or doublecontrast)
- Observations of filling defects must be seenon several different views if they are to bebelieved
What are these?
Right: double (barium+air)
Left: single (barium)
What are the contraindications of barium studies?
- Patients with a large bowel obstructionshould not be given barium by mouth-> VOMITING
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Perforated bowel (from mouth to anus)
Upper GI Concepts
- Barium is usually used as what? Air is used as what?
- What is GI constract for?
- Barium is contraindicated when?
- Single contrast UGI=
- Double contrast UGI=
- Barium usually used as a positive contrast agent; air used as a negative contrast agent
- For the evaluation of mucosal lining and to search for filling defects
- Barium is contraindicated if a perforated bowel is suspected; patient is given Gastrografin
- Single contrast UGI=barium only
- Double contrast UGI=barium+air
Fill in
Pharynx/Esophageal Imaging:
* What is a modified barium swallow?
* How is it performed as?
* What does the picture show?
- The oropharyngeal and pharyngeal swallowing assessment, often known as a “modified barium swallow”
- Performed as videofluoroscopy
- Note the lateral view showing aspiration to larynx and trachea
Barium Swallow:
* If clinical suspicion of an esophageal foreign body is high, and no radiopaque foreign body is identified on plain films, what can they do?
* What else can provide good images?
- If clinical suspicion of an esophageal foreign body is high, and no radiopaque foreign body is identified on plain films, a barium swallow can exclude the presence of a nonradiopaque foreign body
- CT Neck without contrast or CT esophagus could provide good images as well
- What is the gold standard for evaluating dysphagia?
- Why it is performed?
- Barium swallow if gold standard at evaluating dysphagia
- Performed to exclude strictures, evaluate motility, look for FB
What is this? fill in
This oblique view of a normal barium swallow shows the normal impressions made by the (A) aortic arch, (B) left mainstem bronchus, and (LA) left atrium on the esophagus.
What is this?
Schatzki Ring
* Esophageal ring stenosis typically causing dysphagia
* Very capable at blocking solid food that is poorly chewed, such a meat creating a food bolus
What is this? What does it stem from?
Esophageal stricture
* Stem fromrepeated bouts of esophagitis with ulceration and then subsequent fibrosis
What are these?
- Z=Zencker’s diverticulum
- Right side is varices
What is boerhaave’s syndrome?
See following ETOH binges and frequent vomiting (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome)
common in those smoking marijuna
What is this?
Esophageal Perforation-Boerhaave’s syndrome
What is achalasia?
LES dysfunction and aperistalsis
– Note Bird’s Beak appearance
What is this?
Achalasia
What is this?
What disease process?
Scleroderma:
Collagen-vascular disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis
* Esophageal involvement occurs in 75 to 87% of patients
* Difference from achalasia – no Birds beak LES constriction, just widely patent dysfunctional LES
What is the differnce between scleroderma esophageal involvement and achalasia?
Difference from achalasia–no Birds beak LES constriction, just widely patent dysfunctional LES
What is this?
* What will patients present with?
Esophageal Spasms
* See substernal pain unrelated to swallowing due to spntaneous contractions of esophageal muscles (CP with food)
What are the different types of esophageal neoplasms? (5)
Why order an abdominal xray?
SBO may be missed in 30-70% of all radiographs, What is preferred?
CT is preferred if available
Why should you decide which quadrant is most painful?
- Localize the pain
- Consider all appropriate differentials based on age, HPI and gender
- Create a pattern for looking at ABD series
- Don’t stop looking if you find one thing.
point out all the organs you can see
What is shown here?
Small Bowel Follow Through study reveals normal anatomy of small bowel
* NORMAL
When reading an abdominal x-ray what do you need to look for?
Abdominal Series – Plain Films:
How do you evaluate systematically?
- Spine, ribs, pelvis
- Upper quadrants, flanks, and abdominal organs for masses or calcifications
- Flanks of the lower abdomen,Flank stripe(properitoneal fat line)
- Evaluate bowel gas pattern
What are ALL the abdominal series?
- Upright PA abdomen (pt must be upright for atleast 5 min.). This film is necessary when evaluating the abdomen for free air or bowel obstruction.
- Flat abdomen/KUB (aka supine abdomen)
- PA CXR completes the series – more sensitive for pneumoperitoneum than upright ABD
- AP Supine, left lateral decubitus and AP chest (to be done if patientis unable to stand for upright abdomen or chest)
What is an acute abdominal series? What are the usual projections for this series?
- Acute abdominal series isa set of abdominal radiographs obtained to evaluate bowel gas.
- The usual projections for this series are AP supine view (to estimate the amount of bowel gas or possible distension), PA erect view (to assess air-fluid levels), and PA erect chest radiograph (to rule out free air) .
Free Peritoneal Air – aka Pneumoperitoneum:
* What is it? where will the more be and where will it less likely be?
* For pts that cannout stand, what image can be used?
* What is the most common cause of free air?
- Free intraperitoneal air will accumulate under theright hemidiaphragm on an upright film. Free airunder the left hemidiaphragm is less commonbecause of the phrenicolic ligament
- For the patient who cannot stand, a left lateraldecubitus will demonstrate air above the liver
- A perforated viscus (intestinal perforation) isprobably the most common cause of free air
What is this?
Free Peritoneal Air – aka Pneumoperitoneum
* Looking for crescent shaped radiolucency under the diaphragm.
Pneumoperitoneum
* What are the DDX?
Post-op retained air can be seen for up to a month following surgical procedures.
What is this?
Pneumoperitoneum
What is this?
Pneumoperitoenum
Pneumoperitoenum:
* What imaging position is better?
* On supine, you can see what?
* usually seen with how much air?
What is this?
Pneumoperitoneum
KUB (aka Flat/Supine Abdomen):
* What is it?
* Order this when?
* What is still the most sensitive?
- Kidneys, ureters, bladder
- Order this exam when you need a flat film of the abdomen only (e.g. large kidney stones, constipation, FBs)
- CT scan remains most sensitive
What do you need to evaluate for?
Evaluate for foreign bodies
What combination of studies complete the abdominal series in a patient that cannot stand?
AP chest and abdomen, LLDP
Bowel Gas Patterns:
* What is valvulae conniventes
* What are haustral lines?
* Where is the large bowel?
* Where is air fluid level normally seen?
- Valvulaeconniventes(small bowel; parallellines that extend across the bowel diameter)
- Haustral lines (large bowel, lines do notextend across the diameter of the bowl)
- Large bowel is located more peripherally
- Air fluid level is normally seen in thestomach in the upright abdomen
Large or small intestine?
large
large or small intestine?
Small
What is this?
NORMAL
which one is single and double constract
Right: double
Left: single
Single and double contrast barium enema – ends at cecum
What do you need to evaluate the bowel wall for?
- Tumor
- Edema
- Post inflammatory changes
What is this? What is it a sign of?
Note an apple-core lesion, which is generally a sign of malignancy
What is this?
Abnormal Barium Enema
What is this?
WORMS -ew
- What is the preferred modality of bowel abnormalities?
- What is the primary plane of this imaging?
fill in
Viewed from below as looking towards head
Fill in spaces
* IV or oral constract used?
* Look at the patient from what side?
Sag plane
How does a frontal or coronal plane CT look like
looking at the pateint form the front
CT windows:
* Important to distinguish evaluation of specific tissue by adjusting density, how do we do this? (4)
- Increasing the window level decreases the brightness
- Decreasing the window level will INCREASE the brightness of the image
- Increasing the window width will decrease contrast image
- Decreasing the window width will INCREASEthe contrast of the image
What windows are these films?
- Left upper – Bone window
- Left lower – Soft Tissue window
- Right upper – Lung window
- Right lower – CTA window
What are the different intraabdominal calcifications?
35yo female presents with RUQ abdominal pain
* What is the cause?
Gall stone
What are these images?
What are these?
- Left – phleboliths
- Right - urolithiasis
What is going on with the patient
Appendicitis:
* Most patients will have what?
* Occasionally what might be present on films
* What is another radiographic sign?
* Do not use what to diagnose appendicitis?
- Most patients with acute appendicitis have normal abdominal plain films
- Occasionally, a calcified appendicolith can be identified in the right lower quadrant
- A localized ileus in the right lower quadrant (dilation of ileus) or obliteration of the right flank stripe are other radiographic signs
- Do NOT use XRay to diagnose appendicitis
What do these images show?
Appendicitis
What are the advantages of CT?
In certain population like children and preg ppl what do we use for appendicitis?
- Advantages of CT include superior sensitivity and accuracy and ability to demonstrate alternative diagnoses. Several studies demonstrate reduced negative laporotomy rates when CT is used. Disadvantages include use of IV contrast, exposure to ionizing radiation, GI discomfort (oral contrast) and delay waiting for results.
- In certain population, children and in young or pregnant females, ultrasound is preferred over CT due to low cost, quick availability and lack of exposure to ionizing radiation and IV contrast. If ultrasound is negative or equivocal, proceed to CT. Most would recommend going to CT directly for all other patients.
Appendicitis in pediatric population
* What is first line?
* What is next step?
* What is used if high suspicion but severe contrast allergy or pregnancy?
In an adult, What is indicated?
* When do you need to consider altenative studies?
In a pediatric population
* RLQ Ultrasound is first-line
* CT with oral and IV contrast is the next step
* MRI (with gabolium) if high suspicion but severe contrast allergy or pregnancy
In an adult, CT with at least IV contrast is indicated
* Consider alternative studies if suspect other pathology or have low BMI
* Normal appendix is rarely visualized on an ultrasound
- Where should a flank stripe appear?
- What may onliterate the flank stripe?
- Should appear as a longitudinal fat lucency located along the lateral aspects of theabdominal wall
- Intra-abdominal fluid (ex acites) may obliterate theflank stripe
Abdominal/Pelvic Abscess:
* What might be obliterated?
* What is the best imaging choice?
- May see obliteration of the flank stripe
- CT is the imaging method of choice
You are seeing a 13yo female with complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting at a large academic pediatric hospital. Patient denies diarrhea or UTI symptoms. She denies vaginal bleeding. Abdomen is soft, patienthas mild positive McBurney’s and negative Rovsing signs. What imaging choice would be best to screen patient for suspected diagnosis?
* Xray
* CT without contrast
* RLQ Ultrasound with Duplex
* MRI with contrast
- RLQ Ultrasound with Duplex
Bowel Obstruction, Free Fluid and Free Air:
* What can occur anywhere in small bowel?
* What is considered abnormal?
* Small bowel obstructions present with what?
- Partial or complete, can occur anywhere in thesmall bowel
- Small bowel diameter greater than 3cm or large bowel diameter greater than 6cm is considered abnormal
- Small bowel obstructions present with air-fluidlevels on upright or decubitus films seen inassociation with dilated small bowel loops
What are the differential dx in adults and kids for bowel obstruction?
Differential diagnosis in adults
* Adhesions
* Hernias
* Neoplasms
Differential diagnosis in pediatrics
* Intussusception
* Hernia
* Appendicitis
- Where should small and large bowel obstructions be?
- What are the normal calibers of small bowel, large bowel/transverse colon, and the cecum?
What does this show?
Slinky Toy half loop
What does this show?
- If cant stand – get LLDP. For abdomen – always get Left LDP. No right.
- String of beads sign – pat has small bowel obstruction.