Ultrasonic coronal scanning of left upper quadrant.
The left upper quadrant of the abdomen is frequently a "blind" area for ultrasonographic scanning due to the preponderance of gas in the stomach and splenic flexure of the colon, which obscures the deeper structures. Longitudinal scans, particularly when done vertically, are generally of no use in this region. A portion of the transverse scan, aiming the beam horizontally from the left midaxillary line can be somewhat helpful. Coronal planes of section using real-time equipment, aimed medially from the midaxillary line with the patient supine, allow improved visualization of the left upper quadrant. Conventional scanning with the patient rotated into a right posterior oblique or right-side-down decubitus position can also be useful. cases are presented to illustrate this technique.
D000005:Abdomen; D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000175:diagnosis; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis; D013154:Spleen / Q000293:injuries; D014463:Ultrasonography