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ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND INFORMATION

What is Abdominal Ultrasound imaging?

What are the common uses of the procedure?

How should I prepare for the scan?

What will I experience during the examination?

How do I get the results?

What is abdominal ultrasound imaging?

An abdominal ultrasound scan is a useful way of examining the internal organs of the abdomen, including the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen and abdominal aorta. It can show blood flow to these organs and in the main blood vessels in the abdomen.

It is often the first line investigation of the abdomen in a variety of diseases and conditions.

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What are the common uses of the procedure?

Ultrasound imaging is the first line method of choice for evaluating the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and blood vessels of the abdomen.

Abdominal pain is the most common indication for abdominal ultrasound. It helps your doctor determine the source of many abdominal pains, such as stones in the gallbladder or kidneys. It can also show more serious diseases such as some forms of cancer and cancer spread to the abdominal organs.

Aneurysm (widening) of the abdominal aorta can be seen readily on abdominal ultrasound. Identifying this condition and monitoring it can save lives.

Patients are sometimes referred for abdominal ultrasound because they feel generally unwell or blood test results are abnormal. The ultrasound may identify causes for this and may help the doctor planning further management.

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How should I prepare for the scan?

You should wear comfortable clothing for your ultrasound examination. Other preparations depend of the type of examination you will have. For some scans you may be asked not to eat or drink for a few hours before your appointment. For others, you may be asked to drink 2 pints of fluid 1 hour prior to your examination and avoid urinating, so that your bladder is full when the scan begins. Sometimes, no preparation is required for your examination.

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What will I experience during the examination?

Ultrasound scanning of the abdomen is painless, quick and easy in the hands of an experienced operator. You will be taken to the examination room and be asked to lie on your back on an examination table. The ultrasound practitioner will spread some warm gel on your skin and then press the transducer against your body, moving it back and forth until the desired images are captured.

You may be asked to turn on your side or sit up to obtain a good view of your internal organs. You may be asked to take a deep breath in and hold it for a short while.

You may ask questions during the examination and the practitioner may explain some of the images displayed on the monitor.

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How do I get the results?

The ultrasound practitioner will analyse the images and send a signed report with his or her interpretation to your doctor. You will be asked to make an appointment with your doctor who will explain to you the results of the scan.

The ultrasound practitioner may explain to you some of the findings at the end of the examination and you may ask him or her questions.

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