Normal Abdomen on X-Ray

Question 1

how do you look at an normal abdominal xray?

Answer 1

• general gas pattern
• extraluminal air
• calcifications
• soft tissue masses

Question 2

what is the normal distribution of gas / fluid in the abdomen?

Answer 2

• stomach: yes gas w/ air-fluid levels
• small bowel: 2-3 loops of gas w/ air-fluid levels
• large bowel: rectosigmoid of gas w/o air fluid levels

Question 3

how do you differentiate b/w small + large bowel?

Answer 3

large bowel = peripheral (haustral markings do not extend completely across the large bowel)
-small bowel = central (w/ valvulae conniventes extends across the lumen)

Question 4

what do you look for on supine abdominal xray?

Answer 4

bowel / gas pattern, calcifications, masses

Question 5

what do you look for on prone abdominal xray?

Answer 5

gas in the rectosigmoid

Question 6

what to look for on upright abdomen xray?

Answer 6

free air, air-fluid levels in the bowel

Question 7

what to look for on upright chest xray?

Answer 7

free air, pneumonia, pleural effusions

Question 8

what are phleboliths?

Answer 8

small-rounded calcifications –> due to calcified venous thrombi due to incr. age (see in pelvic veins of women)

Question 9

how to differentiate phleboliths from uretheral calculi?

Answer 9

lucent center in phleboliths