Gastrointestinal and Urinary Radiologic Examinations

Practice flashcards covering the radiologic procedures, anatomy, clinical indications, and positioning for the gastrointestinal and urinary systems based on lecture notes.

Esophagography

A radiologic examination of the pharynx and esophagus using a radiopaque contrast medium to study form and function.

Sialography

Radiographic examnation of salivary glands and ducts With the use of positive contrast media ( oil or iodinated water)

Salivary glands

1. Parotid gland (stensen’s duct) - mostly serouse

2. Submandibular (wharton’s duct) - both mucus and serous

3. Sublingual glands (ducts of rivinus or bartolins duct) -

Mucus

What is the contrast used in sialography?

Oil or iodinated water CM

Indications of sialography

1. Obstuctions

2. Calculus (sialolotihiasis)

3. Stenosis

4. Pain/swelling

5. Xerostomia (dry mouth)

6. Foreign body

7. Tumor

8. Epiglottitis

9. Fistula

Esophagus

A muscular canal about $9.7\,inches$ ($25\,cm$) long, extending from the laryngopharynx to the stomach, beginning at $C5-C6$ and terminating at $T11$.

Dysphagia

A clinical indication for esophagography defined as difficulty in swallowing.

Achalasia

failure to relax of the distal part of esophagus

Hiatal Hernia

Abnormal protrusion of an organ, such as part of the fundus, into the esophagus or through the diaphragm.

Mueller Maneuver

A breathing exercise performed as the patient exhales and then tries to inhale in a closed glottis to increase intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure.

Water Test

A technique used to demonstrate esophageal reflux where the patient is supine and turned slightly on the left side ($LPO$) to fill the fundus with barium.

Dextrocardia

A condition where the heart is positioned on the right side of the chest instead of its normal position on the left.

Upper Gastrointestinal Series (UGIS)

A radiographic examination of the distal esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, also known as a Barium Meal.

Cardia

The short, constricted region of the stomach adjacent to the gastroesophageal junction ($GEJ$).

Fundus

The sac-like region of the stomach that extends above and to the left of the gastroesophageal junction ($GEJ$).

Pylorus

The terminal portion of the stomach.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Erosion of the stomach or duodenal mucosa caused by factors such as excessive gastric secretions ($hyperacidity$), stress, diet, and smoking.

Bezoar

Undigested material trapped in the stomach, such as hair, vegetable fiber, seeds, or wood.

Biphasic Examination

An examination method that performs both single-contrast and double-contrast studies on the same day.

Addison’s Plane

Also known as the Transpyloric Plane, it is drawn transversely midway between the manubrial notch and the upper border of the symphysis pubis.

Ileocecal Valve

A valve located at the distal end of the ileum that prevents backflow of fecal material into the small bowel.

Meckel’s Diverticulum

A common birth defect caused by the persistence of the yolk sac, resulting in a sac-like outpouching of the intestinal wall.

Enteritis

Inflammation of the small intestine.

Cecum

A large blind pouch located at the proximal end of the large intestine, inferior to the level of the ileocecal valve.

Rectal Ampulla

A dilated portion of the rectum located anterior to the coccyx.

Volvulus

A twisting of a portion of the intestine on its own mesentery, leading to a mechanical type of obstruction.

Intussusception

The telescoping of one part of the intestine into another, most common in infants younger than $2\,years$ of age.

Colostomy

The surgical formation of an artificial connection between two portions of the large intestine.

Chassard-Lapine Method

Also called the Jack Knife Position, an axial projection depicting the rectum and rectosigmoid junction while the patient leans forward and grasps their ankles.

Intravenous Urography (IVU)

A radiographic examination of the urinary system, formerly referred to as intravenous pyelography ($IVP$).

Hydronephrosis

Distention of the renal pelvis and calyces of the kidneys resulting from an obstruction of the ureters or renal pelvis.

Creatinine

A diagnostic indicator of kidney function with normal adult levels ranging from $0.6\,to\,1.5\,mg/dL$.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A diagnostic indicator of kidney function with normal levels ranging between $8\,and\,25\,mg/100\,mL$.