Abdominal X-ray: What To Think About

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What To Think About

• Sometimes your X-ray results may be different because you were tested at a different medical center or earlier test results are not available to compare to the new test findings.
• Certain results seen on an abdominal X-ray may mean more tests are needed to find the cause of the problem. These tests may include endoscopy, ultrasound, a computed tomography (CT) scan, a barium enema, or intravenous pyelography (IVP). For more information, see the medical tests Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Abdominal Ultrasound, Kidney Scan, CT Scan of the Body, Barium Enema, and Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP).
• An abdominal X-ray cannot find certain problems, such as a bleeding stomach ulcer.
• A chest X-ray may be done at the same time as an abdominal X-ray. For more information, see the medical test Chest X-ray.
• Portable X-ray equipment may be used if a person is physically not able to go to a hospital or clinic X-ray department. However, pictures from stationary X-ray equipment are often better than pictures from portable X-ray equipment.

Last updated:	January 19, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology, Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer