ABCDE Approach to Radiology

A structured method for analyzing medical images, classifying findings into categories based on their characteristics and potential causes.

Conditions involving air in the abdomen or other body cavities. Examples: Pneumoperitoneum, Pneumoretroneum.

Conditions related to the intestines and colon, including abnormal swelling, blockage, and displacement. Examples: Dilatation, Volvulus.

Conditions involving the buildup of calcium deposits. Examples: Gallstones, Renal calculi.

Conditions related to injury or damage. Examples: Fractures, Sclerotic lesions.

Conditions not fitting into the other categories. Examples: Foreign bodies, Surgical objects.

Air in the peritoneal cavity. Seen in cases of trauma or perforation.

Air in the space surrounding the kidneys. Can be caused by trauma or infection.

Air in the biliary system (gallbladder and bile ducts). May be related to surgery or infections.

Gas within the portal vein, often related to intestinal ischemia.

Air trapped within the wall of the intestines. Usually caused by bowel ischemia or inflammation.

Abnormal widening of the intestines. Can be caused by blockage or inflammation.

Twisting of the intestine, causing obstruction. Can be life-threatening.

Protrusion of a part of the intestine through a weak area in the abdominal wall. Often a cause of bowel obstruction.

Abnormal bowel movements or difficulties passing stool. Can be a sign of various conditions.

Solid stones formed in the gallbladder, composed of cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium.

Calcium deposits in the kidneys. Often cause pain and difficulty passing urine.

Calcium deposits within the pancreas. Can be a sign of pancreatitis or diabetes.

Small, round calcifications within veins. Often found in the legs and pelvis.

Calcifications within lymph nodes. Can be a sign of infection or cancer.

A break in a bone. Can be caused by trauma or disease.

Increased density of bone tissue. Can be a sign of infection, trauma, or tumor.

Enlargement of a solid organ beyond its normal size. Can be caused by inflammation, tumor, or other factors.

Objects accidentally swallowed or inserted into the body. Can be found anywhere, but often in the digestive tract.

Items left behind after surgery. Can be anything from staples to surgical sponges.

Artifacts caused by clothing or other items during imaging. Can obscure the image.

A narrowing of the colon, often associated with colorectal cancer. The colon appears constricted on imaging, resembling an apple core.

A sign of duodenal atresia, where the duodenum is blocked. The image shows a double bubble appearance.

This sign is associated with achalasia - a condition where the esophagus fails to relax properly.

A sign of pyloric stenosis, which is a narrowing of the pyloric canal.

A sign that indicates air in the peritoneal cavity, often associated with pneumoperitoneum. The falciform ligament, usually a thin structure, appears prominent due to the presence of air.

A sign indicating air in the peritoneal cavity (pneumoperitoneum), the abdomen appears distended and rounded.

A hallmark sign of pneumoperitoneum, the air trapped under the diaphragm creates a crescent-shaped shadow.

A sign of renal calculi, where the calcium deposits in the kidney resemble a branching pattern of antlers.

A radiographic sign associated with sigmoid volvulus, the colon appears bent and compressed, resembling a coffee bean.