Acute abdominal series: Difference between revisions

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==Technique==
<languages/>
<translate>
 
==Technique== <!--T:1-->
 
<!--T:2-->
3 Films:
3 Films:
#Upright chest film
#Upright chest film
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#*Width of bowel loops most visible (estimate of amount of distention)
#*Width of bowel loops most visible (estimate of amount of distention)


''If pt does not tolerate upright position, left lateral decubitus abdominal film can substitute''
<!--T:3-->
''If patient does not tolerate upright position, left lateral decubitus abdominal film can substitute''
 


==Interpretation==
==Interpretation== <!--T:4-->
 
<!--T:5-->
<gallery mode="packed">
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Medical X-Ray imaging ALP02 nevit.jpg|Normal
File:Medical X-Ray imaging ALP02 nevit.jpg|Normal
File:SBO plain.png|[[Small bowel obstruction]]
File:SBO plain.png|[[Special:MyLanguage/Small bowel obstruction|Small bowel obstruction]]
File:Cecalvolvulus.png|Large bowel obstruction (Cecal [[volvulus]]; black arrows).
File:Cecalvolvulus.png|Large bowel obstruction (Cecal [[Special:MyLanguage/volvulus|volvulus]]; black arrows).
File:Free air under diaphram.png|Free intra-abdominal air below the diaphragm.
File:Free air under diaphram.png|Free intra-abdominal air below the diaphragm.
File:Abdominal foreign body.png|Body-packing with multiple foreign bodies ("balls" of hashish).
File:Abdominal foreign body.png|Body-packing with multiple foreign bodies ("balls" of hashish).
File:Battery in stomach.png|Button battery in stomach.
File:Battery in stomach.png|[[Special:MyLanguage/Esophageal foreign body|Button battery in stomach.]]
File:Toxisches Megacolon bei Colitis ulcerosa.jpg|[[Toxic megacolon]]
File:StonesXray.png|[[Special:MyLanguage/Gallstones|Gallstones]] (not sensitive)
File:Toxisches Megacolon bei Colitis ulcerosa.jpg|[[Special:MyLanguage/Toxic megacolon|Toxic megacolon]]
File:Rectal_fb.JPG|[[Special:MyLanguage/Rectal foreign body|Rectal foreign body]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Differentiating large and small bowel===
 
===Differentiating large and small bowel=== <!--T:6-->
 
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Location'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Location'''
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|}
|}


===[[Small bowel obstruction]]===
 
===[[Special:MyLanguage/Small bowel obstruction|Small bowel obstruction]]=== <!--T:8-->
 
<!--T:9-->
*Air in colon or rectum makes complete obstruction less likely (esp if symptoms >24hr)
*Air in colon or rectum makes complete obstruction less likely (esp if symptoms >24hr)
*Abdominal x-ray has poor Sn and Sp for [[SBO]]
*Abdominal x-ray has poor Sn and Sp for [[Special:MyLanguage/SBO|SBO]]
**If concerned need CT
**If concerned need CT


==Indications==
#Ruling out free air under the diaphragm (e.g. perforated ulcer)
#Ruling out radio-opaque abdominal foreign body (e.g. swallowed battery)
#Ruling '''in''' bowel obstruction (i.e. to avoid need for subsequent CT scan)


==Indications== <!--T:10-->
<!--T:11-->
*Ruling out free air under the diaphragm (e.g. perforated ulcer)
*Ruling out radio-opaque abdominal foreign body (e.g. swallowed battery)
*Ruling '''in''' bowel obstruction (i.e. to avoid need for subsequent CT scan)
<!--T:12-->
;Do NOT use as the sole study to rule out bowel obstruction (poor sensitivity)
;Do NOT use as the sole study to rule out bowel obstruction (poor sensitivity)
;Do NOT use to rule out generalized peritonitis (almost no sensitivity for diagnoses such as [[appendicitis]])
;Do NOT use to rule out generalized peritonitis (almost no sensitivity for diagnoses such as [[Special:MyLanguage/appendicitis|appendicitis]])
;Do NOT use to diagnose constipation (many patient with acute abdomen will have "copious stool")
;Do NOT use to diagnose constipation (many patient with acute abdomen will have "copious stool")


==Incidental (Non-Sensative) Findings==
[[File:StonesXray.png|thumb|Gallstones]]
*[[Gallstones]]


==See Also==
==Incidental findings== <!--T:13-->
*[[Abdominal pain]]
 
<!--T:14-->
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Gallstones|Gallstones]] (not always radiodense)
 
 
==See Also== <!--T:15-->
 
<!--T:16-->
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Abdominal pain|Abdominal pain]]


<!--T:17-->
[[Category:GI]]
[[Category:GI]]
[[Category:Rads]]
[[Category:Radiology]]
</translate>

Latest revision as of 16:57, 6 January 2026

Other languages:
  • English

Technique

3 Films:

  1. Upright chest film
    • Rule-out free air
  2. Upright abdominal film
    • Look for air-fluid levels
  3. Supine abdominal film (KUB = just supine film)
    • Width of bowel loops most visible (estimate of amount of distention)

If patient does not tolerate upright position, left lateral decubitus abdominal film can substitute


Interpretation


Differentiating large and small bowel

Location Size Lines
Small bowel 3 cm All the way through the bowel (plica circulares)
Colon 6 cm Only halfway through the bowel (haustra)
Cecum 9 cm


Small bowel obstruction

  • Air in colon or rectum makes complete obstruction less likely (esp if symptoms >24hr)
  • Abdominal x-ray has poor Sn and Sp for SBO
    • If concerned need CT


Indications

  • Ruling out free air under the diaphragm (e.g. perforated ulcer)
  • Ruling out radio-opaque abdominal foreign body (e.g. swallowed battery)
  • Ruling in bowel obstruction (i.e. to avoid need for subsequent CT scan)
Do NOT use as the sole study to rule out bowel obstruction (poor sensitivity)
Do NOT use to rule out generalized peritonitis (almost no sensitivity for diagnoses such as appendicitis)
Do NOT use to diagnose constipation (many patient with acute abdomen will have "copious stool")


Incidental findings


See Also