Abdominal Ultrasound

OVERVIEW

• abdominal ultrasound findings for important critical care diagnoses

DIAGNOSES

Cholecystitis

• thickened gall bladder wall (>3mm)
• distended GB (> 4cm diameter, >10cm in length)
• pericholecystic fluid
• sonographic Murphy sign
• air in GB (emphysematous cholecystitis)

Retained products of conception

• hyperechoic fluid
• low levels of internal echos (complex fluid)
• cavity irregular between endometrium and myometrium

Hydronephrosis

• calyceal dilation

FAST scan

• views:

(1) perihepatic
(2) perisplenic
(3) pelvic
(4) pericardial

• must be repeated if there is ongoing concern that patient may be bleeding