What soft tissue structure is indicated?

Normal Radiographic Anatomy

• Identify the abdominal features indicated.

BOWEL GAS

• We see bowel on plain film because of gas contents;
• Large amounts of gas can be seen in stomach and colon;
• Only small amounts of gas should be visible in the small bowel.

BOWEL GAS

• Measurements to remember: • Small bowel 5.5 cm; • Colon/ Large bowel: • 5.5cm = megacolon, • > 9.9 cm = toxic megacolon: this is a medical emergency as bowel is at risk of imminent perforation.

STOMACH

• Cardiac orifice is usually located posterior at the level of T10 or T11;
• Fundus is usually located posterior to the left 5th rib in the midclavicular line. In the AP erect projection identified by the gas bubble which puts its location beneath the left dome of the diaphragm;

STOMACH

• Pyloric portion usually lies at the level of L1;
• N.B. in the erect position its location varies between L2 to L4, usually on the right side.

Distinguishing between colon and small bowel

Distinguishing between colon and small bowel

Radiographic interpretation: Abdominal organs

Soft tissue masses

ABDOMINAL CALCIFICATIONS

• Normal / abnormal
• Identify radiographically according to location
• Arterial: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Appendix calculus / Appendicolith
• Gallstones, Calcified gall bladder wall

ABDOMINAL CALCIFICATIONS

• Ureteric / renal calculi
• Pancreatic calculi
• Splenic calculi
• Lymph nodes
• Femaler vs. Male pelvis calcifications

Abdominal calcifications

Summary