Approach to the Abdomen: Abdominal Radiograph Assessment

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts, anatomical regions, diagnostic rules, and radiographic findings from the Approach to the Abdomen lecture notes.

BBC Approach

A systematic framework for interpreting abdominal radiographs by evaluating Bowel & other organs, Bones/musculoskeletal structures, and Calcifications & artifacts.

Radiographic Rotation Assessment

The evaluation of patient positioning on an abdominal radiograph, confirmed when spinous processes are equidistant from the pedicles and the ala of each ilium is equal in width.

Radiographic Contrast Assessment

The evaluation of soft-tissue visualization on an abdominal radiograph, determined primarily by the clarity of the psoas muscle outlines.

Nine Abdominal Regions

The 9 anatomical regions of the abdomen: right hypochondrium, epigastrium, left hypochondrium, right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar, right iliac, suprapubic, and left iliac.

Esophageal Radiographic Abnormalities

Pathological features identified on esophageal contrast studies, including strictures, filling defects, and outpouchings.

Rugae

Gastric mucosal folds that present with a smooth linear appearance and measure $3\text{--}5\text{ mm}$ in thickness.

Valvulae Conniventes

Mucosal folds of the small bowel that characteristically span the full width of the bowel lumen.

Plicae Semilunaris Coli

Mucosal folds of the large bowel that do not span the entire width of the colon lumen.

3/6/9 Rule

A diagnostic guideline for identifying bowel dilation on plain radiographs, where internal luminal diameters exceeding $3\text{ cm}$ for small bowel, $6\text{ cm}$ for colon, and $9\text{ cm}$ for cecum indicate obstruction or adynamic ileus.

Coiled Spring Appearance

A classic radiographic sign of small bowel obstruction caused by closely spaced valvulae conniventes in dilated small bowel loops.

Large Bowel Obstruction

An abdominal condition characterized by pathological enlargement of peripheral bowel loops exceeding $6\text{ cm}$ for the colon or $9\text{ cm}$ for the cecum.

Mottled Appearance

The characteristic mottled visual pattern seen on abdominal radiographs caused by a mixture of gas and solid fecal material within the colon.

Air-Fluid Levels

Horizontal line interfaces between gas and fluid observed on upright or decubitus abdominal radiographs, signifying bowel obstruction or ileus.

Radiographic Renal Position

The standard anatomical alignment of the kidneys on abdominal radiographs, where the right kidney is located lower than the left kidney.

Radiographic Gallbladder Visibility

The visualization status of the gallbladder in the right upper quadrant (RUQ), which is not discernible on plain radiographs unless calcifications are present.

Visible Abdominal Bones

Skeletal structures imaged on routine abdominal radiographs, including ribs, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, sacrum/coccyx, pelvis, and proximal femurs.

Radiographic Calcifications

High-density (white) abnormal mineral deposits seen on abdominal radiographs, such as gallstones, renal calculi, vascular calcifications, and costochondral cartilage calcifications.

Iatrogenic Artifacts

Radiopaque (grey to white) medical materials or devices visualized on abdominal radiographs, including surgical clips, catheters, stents, and nasogastric or feeding tubes.

Non-Iatrogenic Artifacts

Radiopaque objects imaged on abdominal radiographs that are not related to medical procedures, such as jewelry and ingested foreign bodies.

Bilateral Ureteral Stents

Radiopaque iatrogenic devices consisting of thin tubes traversing both ureters with coiled ends in the renal pelvises and urinary bladder.

Pediatric Feeding Tube Placement

An enteral feeding tube artifact visualized on pediatric abdominal radiographs to confirm appropriate positioning along the gastrointestinal tract.

Fecal Retention (Pediatric Radiograph)

A radiographic finding in pediatric patients characterized by a large volume of mottled fecal material distending the bowel loops.