Abdominal x-ray is the x-ray of the abdomen a seldom used examination in the evaluation of abdominal disorders. It may be performed with oral contrast (a sort of contrast porridge one eats) or without.
Signs without contrast
| Sign
|
Description
|
Condition
|
| Pneumoperitoneum
|
Air under the diaphragm
|
Air inside the abdominal cavity, usually due to bowel or ulcer perforation
|
| Air-fluid levels
|
Horizontal air-fluid levels in the small or large intestine
|
Ileus
|
| Pneumobilia
|
Air inside the biliary tree
|
Biliary-enteric fistula
|
| Coffee bean sign
|
Dilated loop of twisted bowel which resembles coffee bean
|
Sigmoid volvulus
|
| Pneumoatosis intestinalis
|
Air inside the intestinal wall
|
Necrotising enterocolitis (premature infants)
|
Signs with contrast
| Sign
|
Contrast
|
Description
|
Condition
|
| –
|
Barium and air enema
|
Outpouchings of the colonic wall
|
Diverticulosis
|
| Apple-core sign
|
Barium and air enema
|
Apple core-like lesion
|
Colon cancer
|
