Yes. For MS General Surgery viva, adding the indications of each investigation according to Bailey & Love (28th ed.) and Sabiston (21st ed.) is extremely useful because examiners often ask: “Why was this investigation done?” “When do you order this investigation?” Below are the standard indications integrated from Bailey & Love and Sabiston. ⸻ 1. Erect Chest X-ray (Free Gas Under Diaphragm) Indications (Bailey & Sabiston) * Suspected perforated peptic ulcer * Acute abdomen with generalized peritonitis * Suspected bowel perforation after trauma * Postoperative suspected anastomotic leak Concept Detects pneumoperitoneum. ⸻ 2. Plain X-ray KUB (Renal Stone) Indications * Suspected renal/ureteric calculus * Renal colic * Follow-up after ESWL * Monitoring radiopaque stones Concept Detects radiopaque urinary calculi. ⸻ 3. X-ray Pelvis (Bladder Stone) Indications * Lower urinary tract symptoms * Suspected vesical calculus * Recurrent urinary tract infection * Bladder outlet obstruction ⸻ 4. X-ray Abdomen Erect Indications * Acute intestinal obstruction * Suspected perforation * Volvulus * Foreign body ingestion Concept Demonstrates bowel gas pattern and air-fluid levels. ⸻ 5. Retrograde Urethrogram (RGU) Indications According to Bailey & Sabiston * Suspected urethral stricture * Blood at urethral meatus * Pelvic fracture with suspected urethral injury * Evaluation before urethroplasty * Follow-up after urethral reconstruction ⸻ 6. MCU (Micturating Cystourethrogram) Indications * Vesicoureteric reflux * Posterior urethral valve * Recurrent febrile UTI in children * Bladder outlet obstruction * Neurogenic bladder evaluation ⸻ 7. Intravenous Urography (IVU) Indications Although largely replaced by CT, Bailey and Sabiston still mention it for: * Congenital urinary anomalies * Hematuria evaluation (selected cases) * PUJ obstruction * Duplex collecting system * Functional assessment when CT is unavailable ⸻ 8. Barium Swallow Indications * Dysphagia * Suspected esophageal carcinoma * Achalasia cardia * Esophageal diverticulum * Benign strictures * Motility disorders ⸻ 9. Barium Swallow in Achalasia Indications * Progressive dysphagia * Suspected achalasia * Assessment before myotomy * Post-treatment follow-up ⸻ 10. Barium Enema Indications According to Bailey & Sabiston * Colonic stricture * Chronic constipation * Hirschsprung disease * Colonic fistula * Incomplete colonoscopy * Volvulus (water-soluble contrast preferred in acute settings) Contraindications * Acute perforation * Toxic megacolon * Severe acute colitis ⸻ 11. X-ray for Foreign Body Indications * Foreign body ingestion * Sharp object ingestion * Button battery * Multiple magnets * Localization before endoscopy ⸻ 12. Sigmoid Volvulus Imaging Indications * Acute abdominal distension * Absolute constipation * Suspected large bowel obstruction ⸻ 13. Barium Meal (Ascaris) Indications Rarely performed today. Previously used for * Chronic intestinal obstruction * Suspected intestinal worms * Unexplained abdominal pain Now replaced by endoscopy and ultrasonography. ⸻ 14. Foreign Body in GI Tract Indications * Object not passed * Suspected perforation * Obstruction * Serial follow-up ⸻ 15. Barium Enema (Carcinoma Colon) Indications Historically * Suspected colonic carcinoma * Incomplete colonoscopy * Colonic strictures Now CT colonography and colonoscopy are preferred. ⸻ 16. Barium Enema (Ulcerative Colitis) Indications Only after acute inflammation resolves. Used for * Extent of disease * Chronic ulcerative colitis * Stricture assessment Avoid during acute severe colitis because of perforation risk. ⸻ 17. Barium Meal (Carcinoma Stomach) Indications Historically * Suspected gastric carcinoma * Gastric outlet obstruction * Large gastric ulcer Current preferred investigation: * Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy. ⸻ 18. CT Brain Indications * Head injury * Loss of consciousness * Focal neurological deficit * Suspected intracranial bleed * Glasgow Coma Scale <13 * Persistent vomiting after trauma ⸻ 19. Contrast CT Abdomen Indications * Liver abscess * Abdominal sepsis * Liver mass * Trauma * Suspected intra-abdominal collection ⸻ ⭐ Viva Tip (Frequently Asked) When an examiner shows an investigation, answer in this order: 1. Name the investigation. 2. Describe the findings. 3. Give the diagnosis. 4. State the indications for ordering the investigation (Bailey & Sabiston). 5. Mention the investigation of choice (IOC) or gold standard, if different. 6. Outline the management. This structured approach not matches the expectations in MS General Surgery practical examinations and make it consistent with the teaching in Bailey & Love and Sabiston. So can pass ms general surgery viva