Why do you need an abdominal plain film?
You need an abdominal plain film if you show any of the following symptoms:
- Severe nausea
- Persistent vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Flank or back pain
- Abdominal swelling
Your doctor may recommend the procedure if you have the following conditions:
- An abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Addison’s disease
- Anaemia (idiopathic aplastic or secondary aplastic)
- Pancreatitis [1]
- Appendicitis
- Ascariasis
- Atheroembolic renal disease
- Blind loop syndrome
- Echinococcus infection [2]
- Hirschsprung’s disease [3]
- Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (primary or idiopathic)
- Intussusception (in children)
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Nephrocalcinosis [4]
- Toxic megacolon
- Ureter injury [5]
- Wilms’ tumour
- GI perforation
Your healthcare provider may also recommend an abdominal X-ray to determine the exact location of a foreign substance you’ve swallowed. Additionally, the procedure can also be used to ensure a tube, such as a feeding catheter or suction is in the appropriate position. These tubes are primarily used to remove or administer gasses or fluids from the body.