Abdominal x-ray

WikiDoc Resources for Abdominal x-ray
Articles
Most recent articles on Abdominal x-ray Most cited articles on Abdominal x-ray Review articles on Abdominal x-ray Articles on Abdominal x-ray in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Abdominal x-ray Images of Abdominal x-ray Photos of Abdominal x-ray Podcasts & MP3s on Abdominal x-ray Videos on Abdominal x-ray
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Abdominal x-ray Bandolier on Abdominal x-ray TRIP on Abdominal x-ray
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Abdominal x-ray at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Abdominal x-ray Clinical Trials on Abdominal x-ray at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Abdominal x-ray NICE Guidance on Abdominal x-ray NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Abdominal x-ray CDC on Abdominal x-ray
Books
Books on Abdominal x-ray
News
Abdominal x-ray in the news Be alerted to news on Abdominal x-ray News trends on Abdominal x-ray
Commentary
Blogs on Abdominal x-ray
Definitions
Definitions of Abdominal x-ray
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Abdominal x-ray Discussion groups on Abdominal x-ray Patient Handouts on Abdominal x-ray Directions to Hospitals Treating Abdominal x-ray Risk calculators and risk factors for Abdominal x-ray
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Abdominal x-ray Causes & Risk Factors for Abdominal x-ray Diagnostic studies for Abdominal x-ray Treatment of Abdominal x-ray
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Abdominal x-ray
International
Abdominal x-ray en Espanol Abdominal x-ray en Francais
Business
Abdominal x-ray in the Marketplace Patents on Abdominal x-ray
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Abdominal x-ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

An abdominal x-ray is an x-ray the abdomen. It is sometimes abbreviated to AXR, or KUB (for kidneys, ureters, and bladder).

Diagnostic Tool

The abdominal x-ray is a test that can be carried out quickly and easily in an emergency department. The test can rule out major illnesses such as a small or large bowel obstruction, quickly and effectively. It is a useful test in a practise called differential diagnosis. For example, a patient who presents with right sided abdominal pain is most likely to be suffering from appendicitis. To prove this, you would have to prove that the patient did not have an intestinal obstruction or something similar, which could cause the pain. Once an obstruction is ruled out by a clear x-ray, the doctor could then follow a different line tests to give an accurate diagnosis.

Technical Parameters

An abdominal x-ray is usually taken with the patient lying in a supine position. Depending on the pathology in question the x-ray can also be taken with the patient lying prone, in a decubitus position or even erect. Coverage on the x-ray should include from the top of the Liver (or diaphragm) to the Symphysis pubis. The abdominal organs included on the xray (although not visible) are the liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and reproductive organs.

Pathology

In an acute setting the abdominal x-ray is used to diagnose:

• Bowel obstruction
• Appendicitis
• Bowel perforation although this is more commonly diagnosed by a Chest x-ray
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney stones or Gall stones Further tests are then used to confirm this diagnosis.
• Faecal impaction

See Also

• X-ray
• Acute abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Medical imaging
• Chest x-ray
• Radiographer