Abdominal film
Abdominal film Definition Abdominal films are x-ray images of the abdomen. Alternative Names Abdominal x-ray; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB Why the Test is Performed The abdominal x-ray can help identify suspected problems in the urinary system such as a kidney stone or a blockage in the in-*test*-('")ine. The x-ray can locate an object that has been swallowed. The x-ray may also help in diagnosing a pain in the abdomen or unexplained nausea. How the Test is Performed The -*test*-('") is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures. How to Prepare for the Test Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant, have an IUD inserted, or have had a barium contrast media x-ray in the last 4 days. If you have taken any medications such as Pepto Bismol (which contains bismuth) within 4 days mention it to the health care provider, because they may interfere with the -*test*-('"). You wear a hospital gown during the x-ray procedure. You must remove all jewelry. You must sign an informed consent form. For infants and children: The preparation you can provide for this procedure depends on your child's age and previous experiences. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics: * infant -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) * toddler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) * preschooler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) * schoolage -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) * adolescent -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the Test Will Feel There is no discomfort. The films are taken with you lying on your back, side, and while standing. Risks There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray. Women should tell the health care provider if they are, or may be, pregnant. Considerations The -*test*-('") is not usually recommended for pregnant women. The ovaries and uterus cannot be shielded during the abdominal X-ray because of their location. Men should have a lead shield placed over the -*test*-('")es to protect against the radiation. Normal Results The x-ray will show normal structures for a person your age. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal findings include: * abdominal masses * an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal area * kidney stones * some types of gallstones * in-*test*-('")inal blockage * foreign bodies in the in-*test*-('")ines (an in-*test*-('")inal obstruction) * trauma to the abdominal tissue * perforation of the stomach or in-*test*-('")ines Additional conditions under which the -*test*-('") may be performed: * abdominal aortic aneurysm * acute appendicitis * acute cholecystitis * acute renal failure * Addison's disease * adenomyosis * annular pancreas * ascariasis * atheroembolic renal disease * biliary atresia * blind loop syndrome * cholangitis * chronic renal failure * cirrhosis * echinococcus * encopresis * Hirschsprung's disease * idiopathic aplastic anemia * injury of the kidney and ureter * intussusception (children) * necrotizing enterocolitis * nephrocalcinosis * peritonitis; dialysis associated * peritonitis, spontaneous * primary or idiopathic in-*test*-('")inal pseudo-obstruction * renal artery stenosis * renal cell carcinoma * secondary aplastic anemia * toxic megacolon * Wilms' tumor Review Date: 5/17/2005 Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com
Abdominal film Definition Abdominal films are x-ray images of the abdomen. Alternative Names Abdominal x-ray; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB Why the Test is Performed The abdominal x-ray can help identify suspected problems in the urinary system such as a kidney stone or a blockage in the in-*test*-('")ine. The x-ray can locate an object that has been swallowed. The x-ray may also help in diagnosing a pain in the abdomen or unexplained nausea. How the Test is Performed The -*test*-('") is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures. How to Prepare for the Test Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant, have an IUD inserted, or have had a barium contrast media x-ray in the last 4 days. If you have taken any medications such as Pepto Bismol (which contains bismuth) within 4 days mention it to the health care provider, because they may interfere with the -*test*-('"). You wear a hospital gown during the x-ray procedure. You must remove all jewelry. You must sign an informed consent form. For infants and children: The preparation you can provide for this procedure depends on your child's age and previous experiences. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics: * infant -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) * toddler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) * preschooler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) * schoolage -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) * adolescent -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the Test Will Feel There is no discomfort. The films are taken with you lying on your back, side, and while standing. Risks There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray. Women should tell the health care provider if they are, or may be, pregnant. Considerations The -*test*-('") is not usually recommended for pregnant women. The ovaries and uterus cannot be shielded during the abdominal X-ray because of their location. Men should have a lead shield placed over the -*test*-('")es to protect against the radiation. Normal Results The x-ray will show normal structures for a person your age. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal findings include: * abdominal masses * an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal area * kidney stones * some types of gallstones * in-*test*-('")inal blockage * foreign bodies in the in-*test*-('")ines (an in-*test*-('")inal obstruction) * trauma to the abdominal tissue * perforation of the stomach or in-*test*-('")ines Additional conditions under which the -*test*-('") may be performed: * abdominal aortic aneurysm * acute appendicitis * acute cholecystitis * acute renal failure * Addison's disease * adenomyosis * annular pancreas * ascariasis * atheroembolic renal disease * biliary atresia * blind loop syndrome * cholangitis * chronic renal failure * cirrhosis * echinococcus * encopresis * Hirschsprung's disease * idiopathic aplastic anemia * injury of the kidney and ureter * intussusception (children) * necrotizing enterocolitis * nephrocalcinosis * peritonitis; dialysis associated * peritonitis, spontaneous * primary or idiopathic in-*test*-('")inal pseudo-obstruction * renal artery stenosis * renal cell carcinoma * secondary aplastic anemia * toxic megacolon * Wilms' tumor Review Date: 5/17/2005 Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com