Liver and biliary imaging tests

Question 1

Abdominal radiograph indications

Answer 1

initial eval of abd. pain (perforation, bowel obstruction, catheter placement

Question 2

Abdominal radiograph, cons

Answer 2

only detects moderate to severe disease

Question 3

Oral cholecystography, pros

Answer 3

Visualizes bile filling defects due to stones, non-opacification indicates gallbladder disease

Question 4

Oral cholecystography, cons

Answer 4

Depends on efficient absorption (not good for malabsorption, vomiting, obstructive jaundice, hepatic failure)

Question 5

CT of abdomen, pros

Answer 5

Greater detail esp. soft tissues and blood vessels

Question 6

CT of abdomen, cons

Answer 6

Radiation exposure, cannot detect mucosal disease or small neoplasms, expensive

Question 7

HIDA scan, pros

Answer 7

Cholecystitis with cholelithiassis (RUQ pain and tenderness), easy to perform

Question 8

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Answer 8

Chronic pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, cholangiocarcinomas, primary sclerosing cholangitis