An abdominal x-ray is a medical imaging study of the structures in the abdomen. This is a very common medical test used to find out more about the origins of symptoms like constipation, nausea, vomiting, and intense abdominal pain. Care providers may request views from several angles to get a comprehensive picture of the abdominal contents, depending on what they are looking for. The test itself is painless and noninvasive, although it does expose patients to radiation and receiving large numbers of x-rays in a short time period could be a cause for concern.
Using an abdominal x-ray, a care provider can get images of the stomach and attached intestines along with the liver, spleen, diaphragm, bladder, and kidneys. A special test known as a KUB for Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder may be requested to track down problems related to the urinary tract. Classically, the image is taken with the patient in a supine position, lying flat on the x-ray table. The doctor can also request pictures taken from the side or while the patient is standing.
The dose of radiation with an abdominal x-ray can be high to penetrate all the structures. It is important for patients to wear a gown during the test so that nothing on the clothing interferes with the image. They also need to remove jewelery, and should alert the radiologist to any implanted medical devices or other objects that might be inside their bodies. Patients who have recently had a barium swallow may also want to discuss this, as it could interfere with the findings of the x-ray.
When a medical professional requests an abdominal x-ray, the patient can ask why the test is being ordered and get information on what to expect from the test. A radiology technician will perform the actual testing, getting the patient set up in an x-ray suite and running the equipment. Patients may wear lead shielding on other parts of their bodies to limit radiation exposure. Technicians may ask a series of questions to screen for risks before performing the test. Pregnancy in particular is a concern that may lead to a recommendation to delay the test, if at all possible.
If the abdominal x-ray findings are normal, there is nothing in the images to explain the patient’s symptoms. Sometimes they may be inconclusive due to poor image quality, a quirk of angle, or other issues. The technician may take another x-ray or use a different imaging technique to get a picture for clarification. In other cases, the findings are conclusive; the care provider may identify an obstruction, for example. With these findings, it is possible to develop a treatment plan to address the problem.
