Welcome to the new Tamingthesru

Same great content - new look - improved search

Jeffery Hill, MD M.Ed 9/14/14 Jeffery Hill, MD M.Ed 9/14/14

Radiation in Pregnancy

In the first of two posts preparing for Grand Rounds in the coming week, PGY-1 EM resident, Dr. Polsinelli, guides through the murky waters of radiation exposure during pregnancy. She offers a background on what radiation is, how it's measured, the effects of radiation on the fetus, and radiation doses associated with common diagnostic exams.

Jeffery Hill, MD M.Ed 8/25/14 Jeffery Hill, MD M.Ed 8/25/14

The Approach to Abdominal X-rays

Utility of the imaging modality aside, abdominal radiographs can be a bit of a challenge to interpret. With a number of possible techniques (cross table laterals, left lateral decubitus, AP, upright, or supine) and a lot of structures to evaluate (is that small bowel or large bowel?, is that a kidney stone or an infamous phlebolith?), it's pretty easy to stare at a film and zone out as you eye moves from one shade of gray to another.

In the embedded video below, PGY-1 resident, Dr. Julie Teuber goes through a standardized approach to reading the abdominal x-ray that hopefully help keep your eyes from going cross-eyed next time you need to interpret an acute abdominal series.