Plain X-Ray
In severe acute abdominal pain, plain X-ray of the abdomen is usually the first investigation. X-ray can show:
- Kidney stones
- Gallstones (if they are large and calcified)
- Pancreatic calcifications (in pancreatic cyst or chronic pancreatitis)
- Air under the diaphragm (in stomach or bowel perforation)
- Air in the bowel (in bowel obstruction)
No preparation is needed for the investigation. There are no absolute contraindications, but, if possible, abdominal X-ray should be avoided in females until the end of reproduction period and pregnant women to prevent radiation exposure.
continue reading Diagnostic Imaging of the Abdomen: X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT, MRI
