CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What condition is indicated by air/fluid levels in the middle of the abdomen?

1. Abdominal abscess

2. Intestinal obstruction

3. Intraperitoneal gas

4. Abdominal aneurysm

The correct answer is: Intestinal obstruction

The presence of air/fluid levels in the middle of the abdomen typically indicates intestinal obstruction. This occurs when there is a blockage in the intestines that prevents the normal passage of contents. When the intestines are obstructed, fluid accumulates behind the blockage, and gas produced by bacterial fermentation cannot proceed past the obstruction, leading to the characteristic pooling of fluid and the visualization of air-fluid levels on imaging studies. In cases of intestinal obstruction, the air-fluid levels appear due to the combination of liquid and gas, allowing for distinctive imaging findings. This condition can be caused by various factors, including adhesions, tumors, or hernias, and is a critical clinical scenario that requires prompt diagnosis and management. Other conditions such as abdominal abscesses can also demonstrate air, but they typically have a different appearance and location contingent on the abscess's nature and the associated inflammatory changes. Intraperitoneal gas is often indicative of perforation, usually leading to free air in the abdomen, which is also a separate diagnostic consideration. Lastly, an abdominal aneurysm does not typically show air/fluid levels in this context and is characterized by changes in the vessel's structure rather than the accumulation of fluid and gas within the intestinal tract.