Abdominal x-ray
Abdominal x-ray | |
---|---|
ICD-9-CM | 87.5,87.9, 88.0-88.1 |
MedlinePlus | 003815 |
An abdominal x-ray is an
Indications
In children, abdominal x-ray is indicated in the acute setting:
- Suspected bowel obstruction or gastrointestinal perforation; Abdominal x-ray will demonstrate most cases of bowel obstruction, by showing dilated bowel loops.[1]
- radiodense.[1]
- Suspected abdominal mass [1]
- In suspected intussusception, an abdominal x-ray does not exclude intussusception but is useful in the differential diagnosis to exclude perforation or obstruction.[1]
Yet, CT scan is the best alternative for diagnosing intra-abdominal injury.[1]
Computed tomography provides an overall better surgical strategy planning, and possibly fewer unnecessary laparotomies. Abdominal x-ray is therefore not recommended for adults with acute abdominal pain presenting in the emergency department.[2]
Projections
The standard abdominal X-ray protocol is usually a single anteroposterior projection in
Coverage on the x-ray should include from the top of the Liver (or
KUB
KUB stands for
A KUB is a plain frontal supine radiograph of the abdomen. It is often supplemented by an upright PA view of the chest (to rule out air under the diaphragm or thoracic etiologies presenting as abdominal complaints) and a standing view of the abdomen (to differentiate obstruction from ileus by examining gastrointestinal air/water levels).
Despite its name, a KUB is not typically used to investigate pathology of the kidneys, ureters, or bladder, since these structures are difficult to assess (for example, the kidneys may not be visible due to overlying bowel gas.) In order to assess these structures radiographically, a technique called an
KUB is typically used to investigate gastrointestinal conditions such as a bowel obstruction and
Gastrointestinal series
An
A lower gastrointestinal series is where radiographs are taken while barium sulfate, a radiocontrast agent, fills the colon via an enema through the rectum. The term barium enema usually refers to a lower gastrointestinal series, although enteroclysis (an upper gastrointestinal series) is often called a small bowel barium enema.
See also
- X-ray
- Acute abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Medical imaging
- Chest x-ray
- Radiographer
References
- ^ a b c d e "Radiology - Acute indications". Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
- PMID 22807640.
- ^ "Abdomen X-ray system and anatomy - Image data and quality". Radiology Masterclass. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-323-07334-9.
- ISBN 978-0-323-02507-2.
- ^ Paul Schmitz, MD, et al. Medscape. Kidneys, ureters, and bladder imaging: plain films of the abdomen. Updated 27 Aug 2015.