Home > Your Health > Medical Procedures > Abdominal X-ray

Abdominal X-ray

Definition | Reasons for Test | What to Expect | Results | Call Your Doctor

Definition

This test is an x-ray that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the abdomen.

Reasons for Test

This test is used when there is a concern that there is a problem in your abdomen. Some symptoms that may make your doctor concerned include:

Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain or side pain
Bloating
Blood in the urine
Constipation or diarrhea
Bloody or dark black stools

Abdominal Organs

What to Expect

Prior to Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for four hours before your test.

You will remove your clothes and put on a hospital gown. You will also need to remove all metal-containing items, like jewelry and watches.

Tell your doctor if you:

Have taken any bismuth medications (such as Pepto-Bismol) within the last four days
Had a barium contrast x-ray within the last four days
Have an intrauterine device (IUD)
Are pregnant or could possibly be pregnant

Description of Test

You will lie flat on your back under the x-ray machine, and remain still while the x-ray is taken. You may be asked to shift to other positions for more x-rays.

After Test

You will be able to leave after the test is done.

How Long Will It Take?

About 10 minutes

Will It Hurt?

Results

The x-ray may help your doctor find the source of your problem. If the x-ray shows an abnormality, you may need more testing, which may include:

Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to visualize the inside of the body
Abdominal and pelvic CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you have any questions about the test, your condition, or your test results.

In case of emergency, call 911.

RESOURCES:

American Urological Association http://urologyhealth.org
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Health Network http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/
The Kidney Foundation of Canada http://www.kidney.ab.ca

References:

The Merck Manual website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/index.html .
The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests. Yale University School of Medicine; 1997.

Last reviewed October 2009 by Brian P. Randall, MD

All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at HLEditorialTeam@ebscohost.com.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.