Abdominal x-ray

Abdominal x-ray
Intervention
ICD-9-CM	87.5,87.9, 88.0-88.1
MedlinePlus

An abdominal x-ray is an x-ray of the abdomen. It is sometimes abbreviated to AXR, or KUB (for kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder).

Diagnostic Tool

The abdominal x-ray is a test that can be carried out quickly and easily in an emergency department. The test can help diagnose some abdominal conditions. It is not a useful investigation for most abdominal conditions. Small and large bowel obstructions, volvulus and malrotations can be diagnosed by AXR. Renal, urethral and bladder stones can sometimes be identified on plain x-ray, although it is usual now to use CT as a first line investigation to confirm clinical suspicion. Gallstones are sometimes noted on x-ray, although ultrasound is the more usual imaging modality used when clinically suspected. Plain abdominal radiography is not usually helpful in diagnosis of appendicitis.

Technical Parameters

An abdominal x-ray is usually taken with the patient lying in a liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder.

Pathology

In an acute setting the abdominal x-ray is used to diagnose:

• Bowel obstruction with air fluid levels generally seen on X-ray.
• Bowel perforation although this is more commonly diagnosed by a Chest x-ray
• Kidney stones or Gall stones Further tests are used to confirm these diagnoses and abdominal x-ray is not the investigation of choice
• Faecal impaction although this should be diagnosed by history taking and clinical examination

See also

• X-ray
• Acute abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Medical imaging
• Chest x-ray
• Radiographer

References