Radiology - Abdomen Flashcards
What are the indications for an Abdominal radiograph?
- limited use
- Bowel obstruction vs. ileus
- constipation
- GI perforation
- Renal calculus (kidney stone)
- Foreign body/ingestion
other:
- following line or tube placement
- confirmation of devices
- presence of metal prior to MRI
Advantages of Xray?
- Quick
- Cheap
- Good evaluation of bowel gas pattern
Disadvantages of abdominal xray?
- Radiation
- Limited differentiation and specificity
Name 7 things that should be seen on abdominal Xray?
- Lung bases
- Heart size
- Free air/portal venous gas
- Solid organs
- Bowel gas pattern
- Abnormal calcifications
- Bones
What is the 3/6/9 rule?
small bowel <3cm
large bowel <6cm
Cecum <9cm
What type of bowel obstruction is most common
Small bowel
What usually causes small bowel obstruction?
scarring or adhesions in patient with prior surgery
What usually causes large bowel obstruction?
tumor
*less common
What is the #1 concern with free air in the bowel?
Bowel perforation
surgical emergency
What are some causes of Colitis?
- infection
- inflammatory (IBD, Crohn’s)
- Ischemic
- Neoplastic
What will colitis inflammation appear as on CT?
“fat stranding”
What is commonly associated with appedicitis?
Appendicolith (blocking appendix)
What should you be concerned about if a patient presents with long standing, vague ABD pain, and narrowing caliber of stool?
Colon cancer
What does occult refer to in regards to disease process in the GI tract?
occult blood means not visible/hidden to the naked eye
What type of ureteral calculus “kidney stone” is unlikely to pass on its own?
stones >5mm are unlikely to pass on their own
