Abdomen

AP supine abdomen

1. KUB (kidneys ureters and bladder)

2. AP Abdomen 1 view

Acute Abdomen series

2 view abdomen

flat and erect abdomen

PA chest may be included with 2 view abdomen

What soft tissue structures can be visualized on abdomen radiograph?

Muscles

Liver

Kidney

Bladder

What digestive structures can be visualized on abdomen radiograph?

Air filled/fecal filled stomach, small and large intestines

What bones can be visualized on abdomen radiograph?

Spine

Hips

Pelvis

Inferior ribs

What is seen?

Psoas Muscles

What organ systems are located in the abdominal cavity?

Digestive tract w/ accessory organs

Spleen

Urinary System

Female reproductive

Accessory organs

-Liver

-Gallbadder

-Pancreas

-Spleen

1. Stomach

2. Ileum (3/5 of small intestine)

3. Duodenum (Shortest and Widest)

4. Jejunum(2/5 of small intestine)

A. Left Kidney

B. Left Ureter

D. Adrenal glands

Label the abdominal quadrants

1. RUQ

2. LUQ

3. RLQ

4. LLQ

What is found in RUQ?

Liver

Gallbldder

What is found in LUQ?

Spleen

Stomach

What is found in RLQ?

Appendix

Ascending colon

What is found in LLQ?

Descending colon

Sigmoid colon

Retroperitoneal

Retro=backward or behind

Less mobile structures within the abdomen

-Right kidney

-Pancreas

Intraperitoneal

Partially or wholly covered

-Liver

-Gallbladder

Infraperitoneal

Located under or beneath the peritoneum

-Bladder

-reproductive organs

Topographic landmarks for abdomen?

1. Xiphoid process (T9-T10)

2. Inferior costal margin (L2-L3)

3. Iliac crest (L4-L5)

4. ASIS - 2nd sacral segment

5. Greater trochanter

6. Symphysis pubis- coccyx

7. Ischial tiberosity

AP abdomen/KUB

KVP : 75-85

SID: 40

Expiration breathing

Shortest exposure time

• MSP centered to center of table

• Central ray at iliac crest

• Must include symphysis

-Look at iliac wings/pelvis = rotation

Bladder shot

If symphysis pubis is missed on KUB = need a bladder shot

-CR 2 inches inferior to ASIS

PA Abdomen

Advantage - Natural compression & possible decrease in technique

• Prone abdomen utilized for small bowel series

CR at iliac crest

Symphysis pubis is visible

kidneys and lower liver margin are included

Erect AP Abdomen

Why?

Why erect? See air fluid levels

Must include diaphragm by centering 2 inches above iliac crest - See free air

inches to cm?

1 inch = 2.54 cm

Semi Erect AP abdomen

(Sitting on stretcher/bed)

-Tube parallel to floor to elimate distortion of air fluid levels

-May not be able to achieve 40 inch SID

-Center at least 2 inches superior to iliac crest

Left Lateral Decubitus

-air fluid levels

-Left lateral would have fluid in the left side and free air will rise and collect under right hemidiaphram

-Fluid = left side

-Air= right side

-CR 2 inches above iliac crest to include diaphram

Dorsal decubitus - Right or left

Center where?

Why?

-CR 2 inches above iliac crest at midcoronal plane

-Aneurysms or calcified aorta or umbilical hernia

Acute Abdomen series 3 view

3 View: AP supine, AP erect, PA chest

Acute Abdomen series 2 view

2 view: AP supine, AP erect or left lateral decubitus (must include diaphragm)

Pathologic Indications for acute abdomen series

1. Ileus

   • Dynamic/mechanical - Adhesions, Intusseption, Crohns, Volvulus

   • Adynamic/non-mechanical

2. Ascites

3. Perforation

4. Postop (abdominal surgery)

Digestive tract

1. oral cavity

2. Pharynx

3. Esophagus

4. stomach

5. small intestine

6. large intestine

Ascites

an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen

Radioopague

increase

ileus

Adynamic/non-mechanical (no power or force) - intestines stop moving normally, no blockage, paralysis

Dynamic/mechanical- physical blockage, bowel is still trying to push

Decrease

Perforation

hole or tear in wall of stomach or intestines

1. Greater trochanter

2. Symphysis Pubis

3. Ischial Tuberosity

4. Crest of ilium

5. ASIS