Abdominal X–rays for Medical Students

Abdominal X–rays for Medical Students is a comprehensive resource offering guidance on reading, presenting and interpreting abdominal radiographs. Suitable for medical students, junior doctors, nurses and trainee radiographers, this brand new title is clearly illustrated using a unique colour overlay system to present the main pathologies and to highlight the abnormalities in abdomen x–rays. Abdominal X–rays for Medical Students : • Covers the key knowledge and skills necessary for practical use • Provides an effective and memorable way to analyse and present abdominal radiographs – the unique ‘ABCDE’ system as developed by the authors • Presents each radiograph twice, side by side: the first as seen in the clinical setting, and the second with the pathology clearly highlighted • Includes self–assessment to test knowledge and presentation technique With a systematic approach covering both the analysis of radiographs and next steps mirroring the clinical setting and context, Abdominal X–rays for Medical Students is a succinct and up–to–date overview of the principles and practice of this important topic.

Preface Acknowledgements Learning objectives checklist Part 1 About X–rays Indications for an Abdominal X–ray Abdominal X–ray Views Radiograph Quality Normal Anatomy on an Abdominal X–Ray Presenting an Abdominal Radiograph Part 2 Overview of the ABCDE of Abdominal Radiographs A – Air in the wrong place Pneumoperitoneum (gas in the peritoneal cavity) Pneumoretroperitoneum (gas in the retroperitoneal space) Pneumobilia (gas in the biliary tree) Portal venous gas (gas in the portal vein) B – Bowel Dilated small bowel Dilated large bowel Volvulus Dilated stomach Hernia Bowel wall inflammation Faecal loading Faecal impaction C – Calcification Gallstones in the gallbladder (Cholelithiasis) Renal stones (Urolithiasis) Bladder stones Nephrocalcinosis Pancreatic calcification Adrenal calcification Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) calcification Fetus Calcified structures of little clinical significance Calcified costal cartilage Phleboliths (′vein stones′) Calcified mesenteric lymph nodes Calcified uterine fibroids Prostate calcification Abdominal aortic calcification (normal calibre) Splenic artery calcification D – Disability (bones and solid organs) Pelvic fractures – 3 Polo rings test Sclerotic and lucent bone lesions Spine pathology Solid organ enlargement E – Everything else Medical and surgical objects (Iatrogenic) Foreign bodies Lung bases Self–assessment questions Self–assessment answers Glossary Index