Basic Abdominal X-ray Interpretation¶

Gautam Babu

As with chest radiographs, use a systematic approach. Here are some important reminders:

Patient positioning (marked by tech):
Supine films poorly evaluate for free air, but are fine for evaluating bowel gas pattern, tube positioning
Upright or left lateral decubitus are more sensitive for free air
NGT films
- Film will not include the lower abdomen so cannot fully evaluate bowel gas pattern. If you don't see your NGT, confirm that the tube is not coiled in the oropharynx, esophagus or airway (check CXR if necessary).
- Post pyloric placement should be to the right of the midline with the tube resembling the “C-loop” of the duodenum.
Bowel caliber – small bowel distension more than 3cm caliber may be abnormal, is there distal gas? Recent operative intervention? Differential: ileus vs SBO
Colon – identify by haustration. Cecum and rectum can be distended up to 9cm. Remainder of colon should be under 6cm. Stool burden? Twist/volvulus?
Gas (where it shouldn't be) – look for lucency against straight lines (diaphragm, liver, falciform).
- Large volume air can also outline bowel wall against intraluminal air
- Bowel wall shouldn't have gas (pneumatosis)
- Liver gas can be pneumobilia (prior ERCP/stent) or portal venous gas (from ischemic bowel)
Bladder – foley projecting in right location?
Soft tissues – may faintly see kidney margins, psoas. No big/obvious soft tissue mass?
Bones – rib fractures, spine compression deformities, pelvic/hip fractures

Last update: 2022-07-05 14:41:01