A Systematic Approach to Reporting an Abdominal Radiograph

Congress:

ECR 2020

Poster Number:

C-04993

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Not applicable, Education and training, Surgery, Education, Diagnostic procedure, Conventional radiography, Abdomen, Abdominal Viscera

Authors:

S. Arrigo¹, S. P. D. Vella², R. Gatt³, K. Micallef⁴; ¹Msida/MT, ²Birkirkara/MT, ³Swieqi/MT, ⁴Attard/MT

DOI:

10.26044/ecr2020/C-04993

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.26044/ecr2020/C-04993

Background

Despite the advent of CT, the abdominal radiograph (figure 1) remains one of the first-line imaging modalities for the assessment of the acute abdomen. Multiple organ systems are imaged in an abdominal radiograph which increases the possibility of missing significant pathology, however a systematic approach to interpretation prevents this. The ABDO X approach ensures that the full potential of the radiograph is explored and is categorised as follows:

Air
Bowel
Dense structures, calcifications, bones
Organs and soft tissues
eXternal objects and artifacts