abdo imaging

Question 1

what does a visible small bowel on xray indicate

Answer 1

pneumoperitoneum

Question 2

what are valvulae conniventes

Answer 2

plicae circularis, useful for working out if bowel is small or large

Question 3

what is a possible complication of ulcerative colitis

Answer 3

toxic megacolon

Question 4

what are the indications for an abdominal xray

Answer 4

bowel obstruction
perforation of hollow viscus
exacerbation of Crohns/UC/pseudomembranous colitis
pancreatitis

Question 5

what should AXRs not be used for

Answer 5

acute GI bleed
palpable mass (CT) 
constipation 
cholecystitis
appendicitis

Question 6

what imaging can be used for cholecystitis and appendicitis

Answer 6

ultrasound

Question 7

how should abdominal xrays be interpreted

Answer 7

bowel gas pattern
free gas
bowel wall thickening
abnormal oppacities (calculi)