Gastroenterology and hepatology
Abdominal imaging
Choosing between plain X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI (including MRCP and MRA) for the common abdominal questions, reading the key findings step by step with worked reports, accuracy figures that change management, contrast and radiation safety under RANZCR guidance, and imaging in pregnancy.
Tier 1Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Choose the test by the question. Ultrasound for the gallbladder, bile ducts and liver; CT for the acute abdomen, obstruction, perforation, bleeding and cancer staging; MRI for problem-solving in the liver, bile ducts (MRCP), pancreas, small bowel and pelvis.
- Plain abdominal X-ray has a small role: obstruction, volvulus, toxic megacolon and radio-opaque foreign bodies. CT has replaced it for most questions.
- Read a report against the clinical question, then check what wasn't seen (the distal common bile duct, the pancreas behind bowel gas).
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Finished reading?
Sources
- ACR Appropriateness Criteria (Right Upper Quadrant Pain, 2022 revision; Acute Pancreatitis; Suspected Small-Bowel Obstruction; Jaundice)American College of Radiology, Topic revisions 2019 to 2024
- RANZCR Iodinated Contrast Media Guideline v2.3 (under review in 2026, revision expected late 2026 or early 2027)AU/NZRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, v2.3 (2018)
- ACR Manual on Contrast Media, Table 1: classification of gadolinium-based agents relative to NSF (as of April 2024)American College of Radiology
- Gadolinium-containing MRI Contrast Agents GuidelinesAU/NZRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
- InsideRadiology (consumer and referrer information on each test)AU/NZRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
- Kiewiet JJS et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic performance of imaging in acute cholecystitis. Radiology 2012;264:708-20Radiology, 2012
- Buxbaum JL et al. ASGE guideline on the role of endoscopy in the evaluation and management of choledocholithiasis. Gastrointest Endosc 2019;89:1075-105American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2019
- George J et al. Clinical practice guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for people at high risk in Australia: summary of recommendations. Med J Aust 2025;223(8):426-36AU/NZGastroenterological Society of Australia and Cancer Council Australia (Med J Aust), 2025
- Medical radiation and background radiation in AustraliaAU/NZAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy