Ultrasound - Abdominal
Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging procedure used to examine the internal organs of the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels that lead to some of these organs, such as the inferior vena cava and aorta, can also be examined with ultrasound.
How to Prepare for the Test
How the Test Will Feel
Why the Test is Performed
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Determine the cause of abdominal pain
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Determine the cause of kidney infections
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Diagnose a hernia.
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Diagnose and monitor tumors and cancers
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Diagnose or treat ascites.
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Learn why there is swelling of an abdominal organ
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Look for damage after an injury
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Look for stones in the gallbladder or kidney
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Look for the cause of abnormal blood tests such as liver function tests or kidney tests
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Look for the cause of a fever
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The reason for the test will depend on your symptoms.
Normal Results
The organs examined appear normal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
The meaning of abnormal results depends on the organ being examined and the type of problem. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Risks
There is no documented risk. No ionizing radiation exposure is involved.
How the test is performed
Who needs An Abdominal Ultrasound?
If you are looking for or have symptoms similar to:
- enlarged organ (such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys)
- fluid in the abdominal cavity
- gallstone
- hernia
- pancreatitis
- kidney blockage or cancer
- kidney stone
- liver cancer
- appendicitis
- Tumors and lymphadenopathy
- Unexplained pain in the abdomen
- Aortic aneurysm
How is an Abdominal Ultrasound Scan done?
How is an Abdominal Ultrasound Scan done?
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you will be asked to change into a gown or remove your upper garments and remove any jewelry or other objects that might interfere with the scan.
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Then you’ll lie down on the ultrasound table with your abdomen exposed.
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The radiologist or ultrasound technician (sonographer) will put a special lubricating gel on your abdomen. The gel (sometimes a little cold) is used to prevent air pockets forming between the skin and the ultrasound transducer which would cause suboptimal images.
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The transducer is moved over your abdomen and using sound waves produces images of your organs on the ultrasound monitor.
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Images and measurements are saved on the ultrasound machine and sent to the Radiologist station for reporting using a digital PAC’s system.
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If you’re having pain in your abdomen, you may feel slight discomfort during an ultrasound otherwise the scan should not be painful.
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When the scan is done, the technician will clean the gel off your abdomen and ask you to put back on any items of clothing you had removed. The procedure usually lasts about 30 minutes.
What factors interfere with the results of an Abdominal Scan?
Due to any of the following conditions suboptimal images may be obtained making it difficult for the Radiologist to make a comprehensive diagnostic report.
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severe obesity
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food inside the stomach
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barium (a liquid you swallow in some tests that helps your doctor see your stomach and gastrointestinal tract) leftover in the intestines from a recent barium procedure
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excess intestinal gas
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Once a radiologist is available you may wait 15– 20 minutes for the report.