Despite the development of other investigations the plain abdominal x-ray still has a role to play in detecting intestinal obstruction, or dilatation and in foreign body ingestion/insertion
The erect chest x-ray is an important initial investigation in the acute abdomen as it is most sensitive for pneumoperitoneum. Remember to exclude possible pregnancy in women of child-bearing age.
A plain abdominal film exposes the patient to 0.7mSv of radiation, equivalent to 35 chest x-rays or four months of natural background radiation in a single episode.
A plain abdominal x-ray should be carried out if there is: