Recognizing What to Order - Gastrointestinal Imaging Flashcards
Post-op patient with persistent fever?
CT abdomen + pelvis WITH contrast.
Acute abdominal pain and fever, pregnant patient?
US abdomen.
Acute pancreatitis, 1st episode or no fever?
US abdomen.
Acute pancreatitis, worsening, with fever?
CT abdomen WITH or WITHOUT contrast.
Trauma, blunt, unstable?
CXR; focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST); Abdomen/pelvis x-ray.
- Patient’s condition permitting.
Trauma, blunt, stable?
CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis WITH contrast.
Blunt trauma with hematuria?
CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis WITH contrast.
Dysphagia?
Barium shallow (with dynamic imaging if dysphagia is unexplained).
Jaundice, abdominal pain?
US abdomen.
Painless jaundice?
CT abdomen WITHOUT and WITH contrast.
Jaundice, obstruction unlikely or confusing picture?
US abdomen.
RUQ pain +/- fever?
US abdomen.
LLQ pain, acute or chronic?
CT abdomen + pelvis WITH contrast - Oral contrast helpful.
LLQ pain, woman of childbearing age?
US abdomen to exclude gynecologic abnormality.
RLQ pain, acute or chronic?
CT abdomen + pelvis WITH contrast - Oral contrast helpful.
RLQ pain, pregnant woman or child?
RLQ abdominal US.
Palpable abdominal mass?
CT abdomen WITH or WITHOUT contrast.
Suspected liver metastases?
CT abdomen most commonly done WITHOUT + WITH contrast.
–> If negative and suspicion is HIGH –> MRI abdomen WITH contrast.
Small bowel obstruction?
CT abdomen + Pelvis with IV contrast.
–> No oral contrast; conventional radiographs still being done first.
Acute abdominal pain and fever, possible abscess?
CT abdomen + pelvis WITH contrast.
