Abdominal Contents

5 Abdominal Contents




ABDOMEN


• AP supine

• AP erect

• Left lateral decubitus

URINARY TRACT


• AP supine – kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB)

• Kidney/ureter posterior obliques

• AP bladder

• Bladder posterior obliques


ABDOMEN





image

Projection: AP SUPINE


Centring Point: In the midline at the level of iliac crests





image

Projection: AP ERECT


Centring Point: In the midline at the level of lower costal margin. Horizontal central ray



Points to consider



Technique




image Acute abdomen – must include an erect chest radiograph


image Exposure – usually on arrested expiration


image Place pads under the knees to aid comfort for the patient


image Use gonad protection for male patients


image Erect abdomen – adds little diagnostic information – possibly use other modalities – possibly ultrasound first, then consider CT




image


Radiological assessment




image Check the size of organs – a knowledge of anatomy is essential


image Symphysis pubis must be included on the radiograph


image Pneumoperitoneum – commonest cause is a perforated peptic ulcer


image Normal small bowel gas pattern should not exceed 2.5 cm


image Acute abdomen – check lower ribs and lumbar transverse processes if #s present – consider injury to liver, spleen or kidney


image Check fat and soft tissue interfaces – not always visible, but loss of markings can be an indication of pathology



AP supine




• Patient lies supine upon the X-ray table


• Median sagittal plane is perpendicular and the anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS) are equidistant to the table top


• A pad may be placed under the knees for support


• Ensure patients hands are by their side and not under the pelvis



Collimation


To include: SUPERIORLY: Diaphragm


INFERIORLY: Symphysis pubis


LATERALLY: Soft tissue borders



AP erect




• Patient is erect with the back leaning against the upright bucky


• Median sagittal plane is perpendicular and the ASIS are equidistant to the erect bucky


• Immobilisation bands can be applied to support the patient in this position



Collimation


To include: SUPERIORLY: Diaphragm


INFERIORLY: ASIS


LATERALLY: Soft tissue borders



ABDOMEN




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Mar 6, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL RADIOLOGY | Comments Off on Abdominal Contents

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