Abdominal Imaging

Xray

Assessing for bowel obstruction, perforation or free air

MRI

Soft tissue evauation, liver, pancreas or bile duct abnormalities

CT

Detailed evaluation of abdominal organs, trauma, tumors or infections

Ultrasound

Imaging of liver, gallbladder, kidney, and assessing for fluid collection or masses.

X-ray

Fast, low cost, good for bones and air (free air, obstruction)

CT

Detailed organ and bone imaging, fast, great for trauma

MRI

Excellent soft tissue contrast, no radiation, detailed organs

Ultrasound

Non-invasive, real-time, no radiation, portable

Intraperitoneal

Completely covered with visceral peritoneum

Retroperitoneal

Partially covered with peritoneum (kidney, ureters, suprarenal glands, rectum)

Anechoic

Fluid

Hypoechoic

Soft Tissue

Hyperechoic

Bone/Air

Esophagitis

Thickened esophageal folds >3mm

o Limited esophageal distensibility and abnormal motility

o Mucosal plaques and nodules

o Erosions and ulcerations

o Localized stricture if long standing

 

Ulcers

hallmark finding of esophagitis

Achalasia

• primary motility disorder characterized by the loss/destruction of neurons in the Auerbach/myenteric plexus in the esophagus.

• Characterized by: Lack of peristalsis in the body of the esophagus

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Most common histologic type, 85-90%,

• The rest are adenocarcinoma. Begin as plaques, become polypoid or begin infiltrating, and eventually cause irregular strictures.

• Diagnosis is via endoscopy with biopsy

CT Scan

more commonly used for pre-operative staging and better visualization.

Ulcer

A common condition in the stomach as well are ulcers which may be found in patients with H. Pylori infection or may  be secondary to NSAID use.

Hiatal Hernia

Protrusion of any part of the stomach above the diaphragm .

Tuberculosis

one of the most common diseases here in the Philippines and does not only manifest in the pulmonary system but also in the gastrointestinal tract as well.

Ileocecal TB

Sterlin Sign

Tuberculosis

Fleischner or inverted umbrella sign characterized by a Wide-gaped ileocecal valve with narrowing of the terminal ileum

Colonic Diverticulum

More common in the older population

•Complications

⚬Diverticulitis

⚬Ruptured diverticulum

⚬Abscess formation