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Plain radiology of the abdomen

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The plain abdominal radiograph should be reviewed systematically:

  • name and date on the radiograph should be checked

  • stomach gas on the left side of the abdomen

  • boundaries:
    • diaphragm
    • psoas muscles
    • extraperitoneal
    • fat
    • hernial orifices

  • bones:
    • costal cartilages and lower ribs
    • lumbar spine
    • pelvis

  • hollow visceral gas: stomach, small and large bowel

  • solid organs: check size of liver, spleen and kidneys

  • vascular: check for aortic calcification

  • abnormalities: renal (90% radio-opaque) or biliary calculi (10% radio-opaque), dilated bowel, air in the biliary tree

  • an erect chest X-ray may reveal peritoneal free gas as air under the diaphragm

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