[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Radiology](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/) › Abdomen

# Abdomen

The abdominal X-ray, free air, obstruction and CT of the acute abdomen.

12 pages

## Finding

- [**Abdominal and pelvic trauma on CT: liver, spleen, kidneys and shock bowel** After a blow or a wound to the belly, a stable patient gets a contrast CT; an unstable one goes…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/abdominal-and-pelvic-trauma-on-ct-liver-spleen-kidneys-and-shock-bowel/)
- [**Calcifications on the abdominal X-ray: stones and vessels** Calcium shows white on an X-ray, so some stones and hardened arteries can be seen on a plain…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/calcifications-on-the-abdominal-x-ray-stones-and-vessels/)
- [**Focal liver lesions: cyst, haemangioma, abscess and tumour** Most spots found in the liver are harmless cysts or haemangiomas; the patient's history and the…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/focal-liver-lesions-cyst-haemangioma-abscess-and-tumour/)
- [**Free intraperitoneal air (pneumoperitoneum)** Free air is gas that has escaped from the gut into the belly cavity](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/free-intraperitoneal-air/)
- [**Gallbladder and bile ducts: ultrasound, CT and MRCP** Ultrasound is the first look at the gallbladder and bile ducts; MRCP maps the ducts without a…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/gallbladder-and-bile-ducts-ultrasound-ct-and-mrcp/)
- [**Imaging in pancreatitis: when and what** Pancreatitis is diagnosed by pain and blood tests; ultrasound looks for gallstones, and CT is…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/imaging-in-pancreatitis-when-and-what/)
- [**Imaging in suspected appendicitis** When the appendix may be inflamed, ultrasound looks first in children and pregnant women; CT…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/imaging-in-suspected-appendicitis/)
- [**Small and large bowel obstruction on X-ray and CT** When the bowel is blocked, the loops above the block swell with gas and fluid and the bowel…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/small-and-large-bowel-obstruction-on-x-ray-and-ct/)

## Modality

- [**Barium and water-soluble contrast studies** The patient swallows (or receives) a liquid that shows on X-ray, and a live X-ray video follows…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/barium-and-water-soluble-contrast-studies/)

## Reading

- [**CT of the acute abdomen: what to look for** CT is the main scan for a sudden, severe belly pain in adults](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/ct-of-the-acute-abdomen-what-to-look-for/)
- [**Reading an abdominal X-ray: the gas pattern** An abdominal X-ray shows where the gas in the gut is and how wide the bowel is, which helps spot…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/reading-an-abdominal-x-ray-the-gas-pattern/)

## Choosing a study

- [**Which abdominal study to order, by complaint** The right first study depends on where it hurts and who the patient is: ultrasound for…](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/which-abdominal-study-to-order-by-complaint/)

## A to Z

- [A](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/a/)
- [B](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/b/)
- [C](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/c/)
- [D](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/d/)
- [F](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/f/)
- [G](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/g/)
- [H](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/h/)
- [I](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/i/)
- [K](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/k/)
- [L](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/l/)
- [M](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/m/)
- [N](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/n/)
- [P](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/p/)
- [R](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/r/)
- [S](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/s/)
- [T](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/t/)
- [U](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/u/)
- [V](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/v/)
- [W](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/a-z/w/)

[← Radiology and diagnostic imaging](https://durgical.com/en/radiology/)

Educational content; it does not replace a radiologist's report and is not a clinical instruction. Each study is ordered on the patient's assessment and your institution's protocols.

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/radiology/areas/abdomen/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/radiology/areas/abdomen/