Radiology of abdomen and pelvis

Question 1

Where is the aorta and IVC in the patient

Answer 1

Aorta is on patient’s left (aorta is smaller and circular)

IVC is on patient’s right

Question 2

In abdomen, where should air only be seen

Answer 2

Stomach, bowel and lung bases

Question 3

Acronym for checking imagine in abdomen

Answer 3

A-air
B-bowel (can you identify small and large bowel? is bowel diameter dilated? are there displaced loops of bowel? is the bowel wall thickened?)
D- dense structures (assess for fractures and focal lysis or sclerosis. Inferior ribs, vertebral column, pelvic bones, femoral heads and necks)
O-organs
X-external objects

Question 4

If you see bowel walls too clearly on X-ray what does that show

Answer 4

Air inside and outside of bowel which is a cause for concern

Question 5

How large should small bowerl be

How large should large bowel be

How large should caecum be

Answer 5

3cm

6cm

9cm

(3-6-9 rule)